"Ten Hag will have a look" - Journalist drops exciting Man Utd verdict on "exceptional" 21 y/o

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will give James Garner a chance in pre-season to stake a claim for a regular first-team spot, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 21-year-old hasn’t played for United’s first-team for almost two-and-a-half years but could get an opportunity to showcase his talent following his exploits while out on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Having scored four goals following his loan move midway through the 2020-2021 season, the City Ground outfit wasted little time re-signed Garner last summer and he virtually continued where he left off.

According to WhoScored, the midfielder was Forest’s fifth-best player with a rating of 7.03, which was even better than Brennan Johnson, who finished as the club’s top goalscorer.

Garner chipped in with four goals and eight assists, which was the second-most in the squad, while he averaged the most key passes per 90 minutes in Steve Cooper’s squad (2).

And Garner, described as ‘exceptional‘ by ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, came up with the decisive moment in the play-off final last weekend as it was his cross that forced Levi Colwill to turn past his own keeper in Forest’s 1-0 victory over Huddersfield.

As a result of his form in the Championship, O’Rourke reckons the midfielder will be given a chance to impress incoming manager Ten Hag when the club reports back to Carrington for the start of pre-season.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think Ten Hag will give everybody a look and see what they’ve got to offer in pre-season.

“Garner had a productive season on loan at Nottingham Forest, helping them to win promotion to the Premier League and I’m sure he would love to stake a claim in that Manchester United team, that would be his first priority.

“I think Ten