Manchester United have a rich history of producing pearl after pearl through their academy, and the next player outside the production line looks to be midfielder James Garner.
The 20-year-old, who has managed seven games for United’s first team before, has signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford and dropped out for a second period on loan with Championship side Nottingham Forest.
His stock will only continue to rise, so it’s time to get to know him a little better.
Garner is not known for his defense / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
On paper, Garner is a defensive midfielder, but he is not exactly known for his defense.
With a similar style of play to Paul Pogba, Garner is a competent defender who prefers to sit deep and recover the ball, before using one of the many weapons in his arsenal to move forward.
You will regularly see Garner bomb forward with the ball at his feet or get the team moving with a few quick passes – just make sure you play him along with a real defensive midfielder.
Garner plays in the same way as Carrick / Michael Regan / Getty Images
With Garner’s style and his upbringing at United, comparisons with Michael Carrick have never been far away.
“I think he has the chance to have a good future”, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær (via MEN). “He knows we believe in him, we have great faith in him as the next Michael Carrick.
“He’s the same form, he plays simple passes, plays through the lines.”
Garner was a midfielder in his youth / Alex Livesey / Getty Images
Until the age of 15, Garner actually played as a midfielder, but his ability to move forward began to flourish and convinced coaches that he should be pushed up in midfield.
With that said, you’ll still see Garner’s experience on the back record during games. When he is not bombing forward, he will fall into the midfield to provide extra coverage for the barking wingbacks on either side of him.
Garner is by no means an elite defender, but he can more than hold on to the tackle.
?????? ???????????! ? @ jgarnerr96? #NFFC pic.twitter.com/h40XwEPsDu
– Nottingham Forest FC ❤️ (@NFFC) 9 May 2021
There is a growing belief that Garner only scores.
After coming up through United’s academy, Garner regularly made the senior highlight a reality with goal month candidates, and he won this season’s Premier League 2 goal with a fantastic strike from the interval against West Brom.
He has translated it into senior football and shoots home some absolute screamers for Forest, the best of which was this absolute screamer against Preston.
Garner’s passing has received rave reviews / Alex Pantling / Getty Images
Garner’s greatest weapon is his passing. Calm under pressure, the young midfielder thrives when he is given the responsibility to set the pace.
He can pull out some smart passes to find his teammates in space, but Garner is excellent with cross-field passes to change games and make the team move forward in an instant.
That comfort with the ball at his feet makes Garner a dead ball specialist. He is sublime from free kicks and corners and really does not get the assist numbers he deserves.
Yarns are not the best in the air / James Williamson – AMA / Getty Images
Standing at 5’10, Garner has the kind of frame needed to compete with the antenna, but his lack of physicality often leaves him in the air.
In senior football, and especially in a physical league like the championship, Garner has been bullied by many bigger, wiser strikers, even though he deserves credit for constantly throwing his body into the challenges.
It is clear that Garner still needs to fill in his available frame, but until he gets there, expect opposing teams to target his weakness.
Now it’s how you play from the back ▶ ️
Does this delicate finish from James Garner get your vote for our goal of the month?
? Let us know in the #MUFC app now: https://t.co/ZaEahGIDpu pic.twitter.com/esDHjg4aab
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) 25 March 2020
Garner has worked under some of the best coaches available at United, including Carrick, who took the kid under his wing and helped him pick up some of the qualities that worked so well for him in the past.
“It sounds so basic but some of the basic things are the hardest to do. If things will come to your mind, it will help you with a split second more time, so it’s definitely something that has helped me and will continue to help me, “he told United’s official website about his individual sessions with Carrick.
“[The sessions were] literally just that. To buy you that extra split second. Always looking ahead, always thinking ahead, always having a picture in your head before you receive the ball. Things like this. It’s just having the idea, and he told me if you’re thinking of doing it before the game, it comes quite naturally when the ball comes. You’re already thinking about what to do. “
