There were plenty who raised an eyebrow when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer compared Manchester United youngster James Garner to Michael Carrick a few months ago. Not least the scores of United fans who had never even heard of Garner, let alone seen him play — let alone noticed a resemblance between the 18-year-old and the legendary Reds midfield pass-master of old.
"I believe he’s got the chance to have a great future," said Solskjaer after Garner, then 17, made his first team debut in February's 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.
"Of course (if he) keeps working, he knows we believe in him.
"We’ve got great faith in him as the next Michael Carrick. I know he’s young, I know it’s not fair on kids to compare to great players like Michael was, but he’s in the same mould.
"He can see the game, he plays simple passes, he plays through the lines."
It is of course, not the first time Solskjaer has likened a current United youngster with an iconic name from yesteryear, also describing Scott McTominay as someone who can fill the Darren Fletcher void at Old Trafford. Solskjaer has also proclaimed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watches Mason Greenwood score again for Manchester United Under-23s "is a player for me", so to say the pressure is on these young charges would be an understatement — especially at a time where United are trying desperately to bring the Sir Alex Ferguson glory days back.
On a night when United's Under-23s were left red-faced, having squandered a 2-0 lead Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watches Mason Greenwood score again for Manchester United Under-23s on the final day of their season, the headline name Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watches Mason Greenwood score again for Manchester United Under-23s . The striker is viewed as the great white hope of the United academy right now and he scored a beautifully taken goal to clinch a 1-0 lead for Ricky Sbragia's side at Leigh Sports Village.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watches Mason Greenwood score again for Manchester United Under-23s
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But amid the Greenwood hype and the chaos that was this unwanted Under-23s season denouement, there was a cool head in midfield and his name was James Garner.
Not for the first time this season, Garner looked like a leader, despite being one of the younger members of the side having only last month turned 18. You could see why Solskjaer sees a young Carrick in the Birkenhead-born midfielder. His passing was crisp, he seemed unflustered in possession and he drove forward through the middle with authority
United's belief in Garner shows that there's a talent waiting to break through. In March he signed a new contract until 2022 at the club and having played for England at U17s and U18s level, it's clear the talent is recognised elsewhere too.
Perhaps the upcoming first team games against Chelsea, Huddersfield and Cardiff City are too soon for Garner — and Greenwood for that matter.
But as Marcus Rashford's emergence in 2016 showed, it's a matter of opportunity. With possible midfield departures this summer for Ander Herrera and Juan Mata, maybe even Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba too, Garner has the chance to follow McTominay into the first team squad and — who knows — maybe even nail down a spot.
United would love to have a vintage Carrick back in their side. Garner, as Solskjaer said, could be the next best thing.
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