Emiliano Martinez has described Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho as a ‘little treasure’ after he finally made his debut for Argentina.
Garnacho came on as a second-half substitute in Argentina’s 2-0 friendly win over Australia.
They took an early lead through Lionel Messi, who scored the fastest goal of his career, before Pezzella added Argentina’s second after the break.
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Lionel Scaloni promised Garnacho some minutes in Argentina’s friendlies against Australia and Indonesia and the winger was handed around 20 in the second half after replacing Nicolas Gonzalez.
Garnacho is highly rated by United hierarchy and has already won over some of his Argentina team-mates, with Aston Villa goalkeeper describing him as a ‘little treasure’.
‘He is a very humble guy,’ Martinez told TyC Sports when asked about Garnacho, who played 34 games for Manchester United last campaign.
‘He came to work; he didn’t talk a lot. He is very eager to play. The truth is that he’s a little treasure and I hope we can mould him so that he gives us as much as Angel Di Maria.’
Garnacho played in half of Manchester United’s Premier League games last season but there were calls for the Argentine to feature more prominently under Erik ten Hag.
The 18-year-old appears to have a big future ahead of him and Juan Sebastian Veron recently revealed that Barcelona legend and Argentina U20 boss Javier Mascherano was a big fan of the winger.
‘I spoke to Javier Mascherano and he fully expects Garnacho to become a star,’ former Red Devils player Veron told Gambling Zone.
‘Playing for Manchester United at that age is not easy, but I think he has to have patience. ‘He needs to work really hard, because he has the chance to become a regular player for a really big club.
‘I really trust Mascherano’s words, so for him to say he is the best young talent in Argentina is a really big compliment.
‘It just shows his undoubted quality and he is someone who I am sure has a big future.’
