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Nottingham Forest’s cheerless season has seen a positive turnaround since the signing of Manchester United’s James Garner on loan in January – but is the 20-year-old ready to make the leap to England’s top flight?
Garner, a graduate of United’s famous youth academy in Carrington, joined Chris Hughton’s Forest in January on loan for the remainder of the 20/21 season after having his contract terminated with Watford.
In Saturday’s 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing Reading, Garner comfortably asserted himself as one of the best players on the pitch, recording a pass accuracy of 93% (28/30) and completing 7/7 long balls attempted.
Manchester United announced a £118m loss in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19 on football, meaning the Red Devils won’t have a blank chequebook to work with this summer.
As financial troubles hit football clubs all across the globe, academy talents and homegrown players are starting to play a huge role; their low-priced contracts are ideal in the thick of this setback.
Footballers are experiencing more injuries than ever, as a result of the hectic schedule put in place by the Premier League after a late start to the season. Manchester United are currently feeling the effects of this, and have called up youngster Shola Shoretire to the squad to deal with this headache.
United’s midfield has been a huge talking point throughout the season, with many expecting Paul Pogba to depart his boyhood club at the end of the season in favour of returning to Turin – which could see Garner progress to a rotational role in the first team.
If Pogba is to say ‘au revoir’ to Old Trafford this summer, pending there’s no midfield reinforcements brought in by the club – United’s central midfield options would look like: Fred, Fernandes, Matic, McTominay, Garner, van de Beek.
Since Garner’s arrival, Forest’s record has improved greatly – lifting them further clear of the drop zone, of which they are now nine points adrift.
Four wins, three draws and three losses following his introduction sees Hughton’s side now 17th in the Championship. A stark contrast from the once ‘relegation-doomed’ side pre-Christmas.
Just over a year ago, Red Devils gaffer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tipped the youngster to be the ‘next Michael Carrick’, highlighting the intense expectations behind his career.
“I believe he’s got the chance to have a great future. He knows we believe in him, we’ve got great faith in him as the next Michael Carrick. I know he’s young and I know it’s not fair on kids to compare to great players like Michael was, but he’s the same mould, he plays simple passes, plays through the lines.”
Almost a year ago today, Garner put pen to paper on a new contract at Old Trafford, keeping him at the club until 2022. Having been at the club since the age of just eight, this could very well be yet another fairy-tale story – recognisable of United’s matchless development of their youngsters.
There’s definitely room for Garner at a Premier League outfit next season, whether it be at Manchester United or others. If United go ahead and pull the trigger for a midfielder like Declan Rice, it could limit his playing time massively.
In the event of United bolstering their midfield with a summer signing, a season-long loan move to Southampton or Brighton could prove hugely beneficial for the number 37. Proper top-flight experience under his belt would be crucial if he is to fully break into Ole’s first team the season after.
Forest boss Chris Hughton couldn’t be happier with how Garner has settled in at the City Ground, and applauded the player’s untapped potential.
“We’ve been absolutely delighted with him. He’s grown in experience, learning all the time. His game isn’t perfect, but it wouldn’t be at his age. He’s on the right road to being a very good player.”
Furthermore, the recent birthday boy told Henry Winter he’s “unsure about what will happen next season”, but his “dream is to play in the Premier League.”
James Garner on his future: "I don’t know what will happen next season, whether I will stay with the first team [at #mufc], have another year in the Championship or go abroad. My dream is to play in the Premier League. It’s everyone’s dream." [@henrywinter]
— utdreport Academy (@utdreportAcad) February 26, 2021
A further season in the Championship, which would most likely be Forest as to how quickly he’s settled there would still benefit the midfielder greatly; as he’s exceedingly enjoying his football and comfortable with the system he’s playing in.
A campaign of Premier League football might be considered as ‘too early’ for Garner, but there’s no indication as to why he couldn’t thrive in the deep end. Everything we’ve seen so far points to a golden boy, ready to take the next step and become an influential player at one of the biggest clubs in world football.
As always, time will tell but if an opportunity arises at his parent club to be eased in to the side with rotational football – he’s more than capable of rising to that challenge.
