Manchester United attacker Bruno Fernandes has said that Alejandro Garnacho has improved his attitude in recent weeks, having not been "good enough in training and not good enough mentality-wise" earlier this season.
The 18-year-old, who made his first-team debut for the Red Devils against Chelsea last April, has started Man United's last two Europa League matches with Sheriff Tiraspol and Real Sociedad.
Garnacho scored his first senior goal in the 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad on Thursday, although the result was not enough for the 20-time English champions to automatically qualify for the knockout round of the European competition.
Fernandes has revealed that problems with the youngster's attitude prevented him from being involved earlier this season, but the Argentina Under-20s international is now making a positive impression on and off the field.
"He was good, but he knows that we expect a lot from him. Obviously he's still really young, he's doing really well. He was not at his best at the beginning of the season," Fernandes told BT Sport.
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"On the tour he didn't have the best attitude that he should have had, and that's why he didn't get his chances until now. He's getting his chances because he's training better, having a different attitude and deserving his chances."
Meanwhile, Fernandes said in another interview with MUTV: "He didn't get his chances before because he was not good enough in training and not good enough mentality-wise. He's changed that, that's why he's getting chances. Everyone is really happy for him and pleased with his goal."
Speaking after the match with Real Sociedad, former Man United midfielder Paul Scholes offered his own theory on what Fernandes might have meant by his comments.
"He said that was in pre-season, so maybe he was too big for his boots in the summer," Scholes said. "He did go with Argentina and play with [Lionel] Messi and maybe he has come back and thought, this is me and I am part of this team."
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Ten Hag said that Garnacho "deserved the chance" to play from the start against Sheriff last week while also referencing some early-season struggles.
"I think it was a good performance from him," Ten Hag told reporters. "He did what I expect him to do. First, he deserved the chance after the last weeks. The start was difficult for him in the season.
"I was not happy with him but the last weeks I was happy with him - he got a better attitude, more resilience, more determination and what you see he is a talent."
Garnacho has only played one minute of Premier League football this season, but he could feature against Aston Villa on Sunday, as Jadon Sancho, Antony and Anthony Martial remain major doubts for the contest at Villa Park.
Matt Law
