24 July 2023 , 19:30
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Manchester United have been justified in their decision to sell James Garner a year ago despite hopes that he could make the first-team squad at Old Trafford.
Garner spent the entirety of the 2021/22 season on loan at Nottingham Forest, helping them back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years. He made 49 appearances across all competitions, scoring four times and starting as Forest beat Huddersfield in the play-off final at Wembley.
Last summer, Everton got a £15million deal for Garner over the line despite interest from Forest and others towards the end of the window. That came after the midfielder featured in United’s pre-season, including as a starter at Old Trafford against Rayo Vallecano.
Erik ten Hag had made the decision that the England Under-21 international was not at the level he needed to improve United’s midfield. The Red Devils signed Christian Eriksen on a free transfer before adding Casemiro from Real Madrid – with the position seen as a priority a year ago.
Yet Ten Hag had been informed by those at Forest that as talented as Garner was, he was unlikely to make the grade at Old Trafford. The boss had this viewpoint reinforced after monitoring the player first-hand during pre-season, before sanctioning the sale.
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That decision was not one that was universally popular at the time and perhaps unsurprisingly so. United’s midfield had long been identified as a weak point for a club with their ambitions, with Garner long earmarked as one of the most impressive operators in the club’s youth teams.
Garner was involved for Everton against Man Utd at Goodison Park last season Have Your Say! Were United right to sell Garner last summer? Tell us what you think here.
Months prior to his exit, Bruno Fernades was asked by a supporter during a Twitter Q&A session which academy product he was most looking forward to playing alongside. Fernandes did not waste time in answering: “James Garner.”
Garner struggled to make an impressed at Everton in his debut season at the club, featuring just 17 times across all competitions and starting just seven Premier League games. He struggled with a back injury at times but will be looking to have a greater involvement this coming campaign.
However, from a United point of view, Ten Hag’s decision has already been justified regardless of how Garner improves at Goodison Park. Not only did Eriksen and Casemiro make a huge impact at United last season, but a new youngster from the club’s academy now has a first-team pathway.
Kobbie Mainoo, four years younger than Garner, featured during the latter half of last season and has impressed during pre-season for United. The England Under-19 international looks set to play a role under Ten Hag this season and continue the club’s fine tradition of developing young stars.