Manchester United have six players to build a new identity around

At Goodison Park, Alejandro Garnacho scored like Cristiano Ronaldo and celebrated like Cristiano Ronaldo to the soundtrack of what used to be Cristiano Ronaldo's theme.

'Viva Ronaldo' has been tweaked to 'Viva Garnacho'. It was first aired at Old Trafford in May 2022, the night the 19-year-old scored twice to secure United's first FA Youth Cup in 11 years. Garnacho, clad in an Argentina flag, heard it and coolly applauded the record crowd.

So jaw-dropping was Garnacho's audaciously acrobatic overhead kick at Everton that he was mentioned in the same breath as Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney at Erik ten Hag's post-match press conference. Ten Hag was not the only one who scoffed at that, though he still provided a courteously lengthy response.

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Technically and aesthetically, Garnacho's volley trumped Ronaldo at Juventus and Rooney against City. A greater goal does not mean he will become a greater player. Charlie Adam did what Pele could not in scoring from inside his own half against Thibaut Courtois. Nobody asked Mark Hughes if Adam was better than Pele.

Garnacho is Ten Hag's first academy legacy at United and his awards season contender continues a stratospheric ascent. He would have been a credible wild card in the Argentina squad at last year’s World Cup.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni bluntly said Garnacho was omitted from the squad earlier this month on account of his form. Garnacho has started in the last five United matches and ousted Marcus Rashford from the left.

Granted, Rashford has been unrecognisable from the constant matchwinner last season and he has avoided an outright demotion. Since his removal