Alejandro Garnacho's brother shares emotional message as youngster earns first Manchester United start

The brother of Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho described it as a 'dream come true' after the Argentine was awarded his full debut for the club against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Garnacho, who was the poster boy of United's FA Youth Cup triumph last season, playing a starring role, was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up against the Moldovan side. He started on the left-flank, replacing Jadon Sancho, as manager Erik ten Hag elected to make four changes from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

The youngster, who was awarded his Reds debut towards the end of last season by former interim manager Ralf Rangnick, has been a regular fixture in the matchday squad so far this term, but has struggled to get off the bench. He had played just three times this season prior to the visit of Sheriff.

And such was the magnitude of him earning his first senior start of his club career at the age of just 18-years-old, it was an emotional occasion for his family and friends, some of whom had gathered inside the Old Trafford directors' box to watch the game. Ahead of kick-off, the versatile forward's brother took to Instagram, sharing a picture of the former's shirt in the dressing room, hung up next to Cristiano Ronaldo's.

Roberto Garnacho's post read: "Come on, little brother. Dreams come true."

Garnacho, starting on the left-wing, was a regular threat in the first half of the Europa League tie, often seeing plenty of the ball, as United attempted to break down a stubborn wall of Sheriff defenders. He regularly linked up nicely with left-back Tyrell Malacia.