Alejandro Garnacho told what he must do to justify Cristiano Ronaldo & Wayne Rooney comparisons as Erik ten Hag insists Man Utd wonderkid has only shown 'glimpses' of potential

The United forward scored a sensational bicycle kick in the 3-0 win at Everton which immediately drew comparisons with Rooney's strike against Manchester City in 2011 and Ronaldo's outrageous overhead kick for Juventus in the Champions League in 2018. However, Ten Hag was keen to dismiss comparisons between the 19-year-old and the former United greats.

Garnacho broke into the United team last season with a series of decisive moments, such as a late winning strike against Fulham and an assist for Marcus Rashford in the Manchester derby. But an ankle injury derailed his progress and he has had a difficult second season, failing to score in the Premier League or Champions League until his ludicrous goal against Everton.

The United manager said: "Don’t compare, I don’t think it is right. They all have their own identity but for Garnacho to go that way he has a lot to come, he has to work very hard. You have to do it on a consistent basis and so far he has not.

"But he definitely has high potential to do some amazing things, it's not the first time we saw this, we have already often seen glimpses but if you want to be a player like Rooney or Ronaldo you have to score 20, 25 goals in the Premier League each season. That's not easy to get, you have to work hard, you have to go in areas where it hurts. So a lot to come. But he has potential."

Garnacho, who grew up as Real Madrid fan in the Spanish capital even though he played for Atletico Madrid, idolised Ronaldo as a child. He got to play with him last season for United until the Portuguese striker left the club in disgrace following his unauthorised interview with Piers Morgan. He even marked his wonder goal against Everton by performing the 'Siiiii' celebration Ronaldo has become renowned for.

United will be hoping for more miracles from their teenage superstar when they head to Istanbul on Wednesday for a must-win Champions League showdown at Galatasaray.