James Garner has sent Erik ten Hag and Manchester United a message they can't ignore

As the eyes of the world descended on Wembley for the richest game in football, James Garner made it his mission to leave his calling card.

The Manchester United loanee, after playing a key role to help Nottingham Forest move to within one game of ending their 23-year exile from the Premier League, ensured that he put on a show the promotion-hungry Forest supporters in the stands and the United fans watching at home on TV. He had a direct hand in the only goal of the game that sealed Steve Cooper's side's return to the top-flight of English football, seeing his cross turned home by Huddersfield Town defender Levi Colwill.

Garner had gone close to claiming an assist earlier, producing a wonderful cross that was glanced just wide by the head of Ryan Yates. He was Forest's architect-in-chief under the Wembley arch, ensuring he signed off from his loan spell on the banks of the Trent in style, putting a first promotion on his CV.

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But although his cross that led to the goal was the highlight of the final and his performance, he was always in control of proceedings in midfield, bossing the play, as highlighted by his 88 per cent passing accuracy rating and duel-winning tally of six. He also proved his weight in gold defensively, producing several well-timed challenges, including a vital one to rob Danny Ward of the ball, after he had breached the Forest backline.

It highlighted Garner's all round abilities and his growth into a modern-day central-midfielder. And he could not have picked a better stage to do it on, sending a timely reminder to Erik ten Hag that he has a new midfield option to consider at Old Trafford next