Onana details Garnacho's Man Utd nickname in Cristiano Ronaldo claim

24 May 2024 , 17:09
1135     0
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana (Image: The Overlap)
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana (Image: The Overlap)

Manchester United keeper Andre Onana has given team-mate Alejandro Garnacho a new nickname - as well as a challenge to become the best player in the world.

Onana has revealed that the teenage Argentine winger is now known in the Old Trafford dressing room as ‘Peque’ - Spanish for Little One - and insists he has the talent to follow in the footsteps of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Cameroon No 1 admitted he could not believe his eyes when Garnacho conjured up one of the goals of the season with a spectacular overhead strike against Everton in December but insists his brilliance has become a regular feature of United’s training sessions.

Onana said: “If he (Garnacho) does things well he will end up being not one of the best, but THE very best. He has to grow and go through difficulties - but seasons like this one will make you grow. In coming seasons we will have a bug here that will eat the world!

“I was at the opposite end of the pitch when Peque scored (against Everton) - and I couldn't believe it. But that's the mark of great players. Great players have done it, like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow eiqrtiqkhiddxprwWorld Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow

“Now Peque. I believe that Peque has a bright future. We have to support him because difficult times are going to come and he will have to get his act together. Get strong, he is a great player.

“I enjoy seeing him every day. Even watching him train is a luxury. The things he does can be barbaric. But football is a moment, so you have to be constant, you have to keep working.”

Onana details Garnacho's Man Utd nickname in Cristiano Ronaldo claimOnana believes Alejandro Garnacho could become the best player in the world (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

United will be looking for Garnacho to show his class when they meet Double-chasing rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. Garnacho, 19, gave a sparkling cameo when City prevailed 2-1 last year on their way to the Treble.

And Pep Guardiola ’s men are once again hot favourites. Garnacho said: “We don’t care about City. We just have to go out and win the game. We have to think about ourselves. The final is an important match for the club and we want the title.

“We are going to come out with everything. We have changed the defence so many times this season. There have been 30 different combinations. That is difficult - but it cannot be an excuse. We have to play with what we have. Everyone here has the level to be there and to compete.”

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Simon Mullock

Cristiano Ronaldo, Alejandro Garnacho, Andre Onana, Manchester United FC

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