Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right about Manchester United youngster James Garner

When the time comes for Manchester United to take stock and reflect on this season, it is almost certain that James Garner's loan spell at Nottingham Forest will be considered one of the biggest success stories.

The central-midfielder, born a little under 40 miles away from Old Trafford along the M62 in Birkenhead, returned to the City Ground in the hope of gaining regular minutes, despite some United supporters suggesting that he was ready to be flung into the first-team fold at Old Trafford. He had spent the second half of the 2020/21 season on the banks of the Trent and had shown glimpses of his potential.

Considering it was hard to gauge an accurate reading of most youngsters' development last season because of matches being played in empty, lifeless bowls, his second loan spell at Forest promised to give a more accurate verdict. As the season now nears its conclusion, Forest's supporters aren't ready to let go and say farewell.

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The England Under-21 international has been nothing short of sublime, acclimatising to the cut and thrust of a 'normal' Championship campaign with ease. In a season that has seen Forest move from the foot of the table after seven games to being genuine promotion contenders with just a matter of weeks of the campaign remaining, Garner has been a revelation.

Under the trusted guidance of Forest manager Steve Cooper, who was appointed in mid-September following a nightmare start to the season under two-time Championship promotion winner Chris Hughton, Garner has flourished, becoming one of the most gifted and talked about central-midfielders in the league. He has looked a class above at times and it is quite understandable why