When Alejandro Garnacho scored against Leeds on Sunday, Erik ten Hag's response was telling.
His third goal as a senior and his first since scoring the dramatic injury-time winner against Fulham in the final Premier League match before the World Cup, the late goal was his third in his career. He hasn't exactly been quiet in the meanwhile.
Alejandro Garnacho has already contributed five times this season, including the set-up for Marcus Rashford's winning goal on derby day last month. But for the 18-year-old, the eight days leading up to the trip to Leeds had been a difficult period.
After Casemiro was sent off against Crystal Palace, Ten Hag later claimed that the young player was double-subbed "for the team's sake." Later, in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Leeds at Old Trafford, he missed a few more opportunities before being substituted an hour into his third Premier League start.
He posted a dejected Instagram statement as a result, which read: “When you don't understand what is happening, remember that God is in control. I trust the plan you have for me."
His mental fortitude was put to the test in the days before the trip to Elland Road. Ten Hag had high praise for Garnacho following Wednesday's draw, although he kindly reminded him: "As a striker, you have to at least be on the scoring list, the assist list, key action list to have the right impact.
“And, of course, we expect him also to do the other stuff but the base stuff is also important and if you can't do the others extra then you have to do that, so that is your base function."
"But as a Man United player, we expect you to have an impact to influence the score, to influence the result. To positively influence the game by scoring goals and having an assist… From yesterday he should have scored."
As a young player, it can be difficult to judge, but Garnacho should see Ten Hag's standard-setting as encouragement that he is regarded as one of the best talents for the first squad. At Elland Road this past weekend, his winning attitude was evident, sending a powerful message to his manager and teammates: "I've got what it takes."
Erik Ten Hag was delighted with his response and pleased that, at the end of the week, he had applied the principles he had learnt.
"Definitely (it was the perfect response), I had some talks with him about that and that is about taking responsibility," Erik Ten Hag stated after the 2-0 win on Sunday.
"He had those chances but he was in the right position, the team brings him the ball. But also his investment - I don't want to look away from that - but once he is there on our level you have to score the goal then.
"Okay, not every chance can be a goal but of two, one has to be in. That is taking responsibility."
Ten Hag had been hinting at this to Garnacho prior to the journey to Yorkshire, he confirmed. Last week, he informed the media that he felt "attached" to his team because of the players' eagerness to assume the role.
The young age of Alejandro Garnacho does not justify him, as Ten Hag has made quite obvious. And the Argentine is stepping up to the plate this season, contributing to eight senior goals.
There is a lot to come,” the United boss said of Garnacho last month. “There is a lot of room for improvement with him but he can help, he can contribute on the highest level already and I’m really happy.”
Alejandro Garnacho is undoubtedly demonstrating this, and Ten Hag's celebration on the touchline for his most recent goal was tinged with happiness that the young player is demonstrating his dependability.
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