James Garner will get the chance to prove his worth to new Man United boss Erik ten Hag in pre-season before they decide whether to send the young midfielder out on loan again after impressing with Nottingham Forest
- Erik ten Hag has said he wants to take a look at James Garner during pre-season
- The academy product spent the 2021-2022 season on loan at Nottingham Forest
- Garner helped Steve Cooper’s side secure promotion to the Premier League
- Garner has since returned to Old Trafford for pre-season training this summer
- Boss Ten Hag is eager to reinforce his defensive midfield ahead of next season
- He wants to see Garner before deciding on whether he goes out on loan again
- Premier League fixtures are out on Thursday at 9am as teams find out schedules
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has said he wants to take a look at James Garner during pre-season before making a decision about his future at the club.
The 21-year-old academy product spent the 2021-2022 campaign out on loan at Nottingham Forest – helping Steve Cooper’s side secure promotion to the Premier League.
Garner has since returned to Old Trafford and could be awarded a place in the United XI next season as Ten Hag is struggling to reinforce his defensive midfield.
Man United boss Erik ten Hag has said he wants to take a look at James Garner this summer
The academy product spent the 2021-2022 campaign out on loan at Nottingham Forest
However, to warrant a place in the United squad, Garner will have to impress the Dutch manager during pre-season training.
Garner has said: ‘That’s the plan. That’s what I’d like to do, go on pre-season and impress. It’s down to me as a player to impress him and hopefully make a mark.’
Ten Hag was impressed with him but wants to see how he gets on during United’s pre-season training before deciding whether to send him out on loan again or not
Speaking after Forest’s promotion, Garner also said: ‘Before I went on loan, there were questions of am I physically ready to compete, to play first-team football, and I believe that I’ve shown that this season.
‘Not only playing a lot of games but how I’ve held my own in such a tough league and men’s football, you know. I think I’ve shown that.
‘I’ve not spoken to [Ten Hag] yet. I literally came from the play-off final straight to England, so I’ve had no rest, no break, just been football, football so I’ve not spoken to anybody at the club. It’s time for rest now and I’m not sure what the future holds.’
Garner has said he would like to ‘go and do pre-season’ and ‘make a mark’ with the manager
Garner was one of Cooper’s go-to men at Forest last season and made 44 appearances for the club during his loan spell.
The United loanee also scored a total of four goals and registered eight assists during his time at the City Ground.
Garner is also held in high regard by members of the Manchester United first XI, with the likes of Juan Mata praising the youngster for his ability on the ball and eye for a pass.
However, coaches have preferred to loan him out at Watford and Nottingham Forest in recent seasons.
