Erik ten Hag fires warning to Man Utd star ahead of World Cup break

Erik ten Hag has warned rising Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho faces a "dangerous" time during the World Cup break.

The Argentine teenager made a huge impact for United against Fulham on Sunday, bagging a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.

That goal followed another at Real Sociedad in the Europa League and a fine performance against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup.

However, with domestic action on a four-week hiatus because of the World Cup in Qatar, Ten Hag has said Garnacho's biggest challenge will now be to retain his focus after his impressive run of form.

“It is still a long way to go, he has to keep his feet on the ground, it’s the whole team now, he has to do much more investment because he will be recognisable for everyone, so it’s much more important to every time confirm it, big players know that, young players don’t know,” the Dutchman said.

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“Now it’s a four-week break, that’s already a danger for him, because now has momentum. It’s good in the season and let’s see how he’s coming back. We have to manage that, manage that with him, his attitude, is good, I’m certain he will have an impact. The danger is four weeks, no games, lose focus, less investment.

“It’s only when he stays on the same attitude that he’s working the last three, four or five weeks the process will keep going and his progress will keep going. If not it goes the other way around.”

Man Utd’s next game is on 20 December when they face Burnley in the Carabao Cup round of 16, with a hectic Premier League schedule getting underway on Boxing Day.