Alejandro Garnacho may have finally conquered what's holding him back at Manchester United

Alejandro Garnacho has all the potential in the world but something has been holding him back. He finally might have managed to shake it off.

For a talent as prestigious as Garnacho, there is usually a clamour for them to start as often as possible. Manchester City fans were practically begging Pep Guardiola to play Phil Foden more in the early years of his career. Manchester United are famed for their production of young talent and there is an expectation for an academy graduate to always be in the team.

Yet, with Garnacho, the demands for him to be in the starting XI were relatively minimal. That isn't to downplay his talent or his adoration from the fanbase. There was a desperation for the exciting winger to be handed the No.7 shirt in the summer and he is widely regarded as the most exciting member of Erik ten Hag's squad.

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But the vast bulk of the positive things Garnacho has done on the pitch have all been off the bench. When he has started, he has tended to underwhelm.

That's no great shame. He is still just 19 years old and still growing accustomed to the rhythms and physical demands of senior football. Unless you're Jude Bellingham, no teenager should be expected to dominate matches. But it has been noticeable just how much Garnacho's impact has been dulled when starting matches from the off rather than coming on off the bench, where his pace, skill and directness play havoc with tired legs.

Garnacho has played 51 times for United with 17 of them starts and the rest substitute appearances. He has only managed to score or assist in three of those 16