A week that began with Erik ten Hag’s formal introduction ended with United’s old foe, Liverpool, losing in the Champions League final. James Garner, a product of United’s development academy, playing a key role in Nottingham Forest’s promotion to the top tier.

The 21-year-old was a significant figure in Forest’s miraculous promotion to the Premier League under Steve Cooper. He scored four goals and assisting eight times in the Championship before assisting on their crucial Wembley won. Garner has a lot of promise. But the question stands, who will he play for next season?

Who is James Garner?

Garner is nearly guaranteed to play in the Premier League next season. Whether for Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, or another club. Recently Leicester, Southampton, and Leeds have all been linked with a move for him. The harsh reality is that even if Garner impresses Ten Hag in pre-season this summer; he is unlikely to make an immediate impact on the United first team.

Garner is an amazing technical player. But he may struggle if he is thrust into the physical rigors of the Premier League right away. Especially at a club as scrutinized as United. It implies that if the kid stays at Old Trafford next season, he will likely spend the most of his time on the bench or in small cup games. He’d be better off joining a club where he could play every week and understand Premier League football.

While he has accomplished a lot since his debut, it would be ridiculous to expect him to have the same impact this summer with United. Instead, a return to Forest next season may be the most sensible alternative. He has the perfect pattern in teammate Dean Henderson to follow.

Garner’s Step Ahead

Henderson was loaned to Sheffield United in the Championship four years ago. He helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2007. Those performances drew interest from all over Europe. But Solskjaer opted to sign a new contract with United in the summer of 2019, ensuring his long-term worth and future, before re-signing with Sheffield United for their first season back in the top flight. Henderson went on to thrive in Sheffield once more, and after two fantastic seasons at the club, he returned to Old Trafford as a strong contender for the club’s No. 1 spot.

His loan performance is a good example of what Garner could expect from a second season at Forest next season. Staying at a club where he is loved, at ease, and where his manager has complete faith in him could be the key to the young midfielder realising his enormous potential and one day becoming a mainstay of the United team.