Garnacho praises 'father-like' figure that has helped him settle in to Man Utd

Alejandro Garnacho has praised a 'father-like' figure that has helped him settle in to Manchester United's dressing room.

The teenage winger signed a new five-year contract with the Red Devils on Saturday and committed his future to United until June 2028.

The 18-year-old's breakthrough season at United has been disrupted by the ankle ligament injury he sustained against Southampton on March 12.

Garnacho scored four goals and made five assists in 31 appearances before the injury.

In an interview with MUTV, he described how Lisandro Martinez is a like a 'dad' to him and he has also received guidance from Bruno Fernandes and David de Gea.

'From the very first day that I went into the dressing room, they've really treated me just like one of the lads,' Garnacho said.

'I'm the youngest guy out of all that squad and so players like Lisandro Martinez who is like - well I say around here that he's like my dad.

'He treats me like my dad, when he needs to tell me off he does, and when I do well he tells me that I have. He always tries to help me with everything.

'Then you have players like Bruno [Fernandes] who's quite close to me. He helps with everything that he can.

'I'm also good friends with [David] De Gea, we speak the same language and he's a player who I'm very close to and we get on very well together. They all help me quite a lot.'

United's rising star has been in negotiations over a new deal since inspiring last season's FA Youth Cup triumph.

There was believed to be a stumbling block over his image rights, but he has now committed his future to the club until the end of the 2027-28 season.

Ten Hag is looking forward to having Garnacho back in the squad for the run-in after the youngster's breakthrough season was disrupted by the injury.

'He will return tomorrow (Friday) in team training, partially,' added Ten Hag. 'Then we will have to see when he can return totally in the training, and back into games.'