James Garner is a name that has been on the lips of the majority of Manchester United fans over the past months and weeks. Garner has excelled and progressed through all the ranks of United’s academy starting from the under-8 level. After finding himself down the pecking order in Uniteds midfield options, and after a short stint on loan at Watford, he joined Nottingham Forest on loan in January 2021 and enjoyed a year and a half at the Championship club.
Garner has been instrumental to the side since joining, helping them avoid relegation last season and then putting in some mighty fine performances this campaign as Forest clinched promotion back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
As the 2022/23 campaign is fast approaching, the 21-year-old has a big pre-season ahead of him. Garner’s ambition is to impress new manager Erik ten Hag and cement a place in United’s midfield rotation.
Midfield has been an obvious area of weakness for the Red Devils for a number of years. With the likes of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic departing the club, the team are left short in both numbers and quality in the middle of the park. And while the club will definitely be looking to strengthen this area with new signings in the summer – already linked with Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona – Garner has an opportunity to solve some of the problems from within and serve as a serious option.
I havent had time to think about what I want. I would like to go into pre-season and impress. Its up to me as a player to impress. I know how Ajaxs style of football is good, so its exciting. stated Garner.
Can Garner demonstrate his quality and value and be included in ten Hag’s plans? Can he handle the pressure that comes with playing for Manchester United? Or will he be sent out on loan again, possibly to a Premier League club?
This tactical analysis and scout report will look at Garner’s key attributes and style of play. The analysis will also compare his stats with some of United’s current midfield options.
Profile
He joined the Manchester United Academy at under-8s level. He initially played as a centre-back till the age of 15, before transitioning into midfield.
“I was a centre-back up until the Under-15s, I think it was, and, in one tournament, I was put into midfield and have not looked back since. Id like to say Ive got both of those elements in my game the defensive side and the attacking side, which can only benefit me in that type of position.”
There has been some debate about Garner’s best role in recent years. He played for a few years at the U23 level for Manchester United as the deepest player in midfield – a classic deep-lying playmaker who dictates the game and shields the defence.
At Forest, the team have lined up in a 5-2-3 for the most part of the 2021/22 season with Garner playing as part of the midfield pivot alongside Ryan Yates. Garner assumes the left-sided central midfield role with more license to roam and connect with the front three while Yates serves as the more defensive-minded midfielder.
Garner’s heat map showcases how active he is all over the pitch, with dominance from the left side. It also highlights the freedom he is granted to float and cover all areas, whether it’s to create in the final third, apply pressure in the middle or defend and protect his centre-backs.
During his years with the United Under-23s, Garner seeme
