Manchester United youngster James Garner has made an immediate impact at Nottingham Forest after joining the Championship side on loan in January.
Garner spent the first-half of the season at Watford and struggled to play regular first-team football at Vicarage Road after manager Vladimir Ivic was replaced by Xisco Munoz.
But United’s decision to recall one of their most promising talents and test him at a new club already seems to be paying off.
The 19-year-old is becoming a fan favourite at Forest after earning the man-of-the-match award for Chris Hughton’s side in Tuesday’s 2-1 win away to Coventry on Tuesday night.
He backed that impressive performance up with another as he caught the eye in this weekend’s 3-0 victory over bottom-placed Wycombe Wanderers.
Nottingham Forest fans noticed one particular moment where Garner exemplified his supreme quality in the build up to their side’s third at Adams Park.
The United academy graduate played a glorious, sweeping outside-of-the-foot pass to the left flank before Anthony Knockaert smashed home to complete a superb team goal.
Watch Garner’s pass in the build up to Forest’s third goal at 1:35 below. Footage courtesy of NFFCTube:
Forest players must think all there xmas's have come at once, signing James Garner. What a player this lad could turn out to be. Early days, but reminds me, dare I say it…of Scholesy. https://t.co/75fWq0XPPI
— Leo Amato (@leoamato76) February 7, 2021
#MUFC that's one hell of a player you lot have in James Garner. He played an outside of the boot, cross-field pass today that made me question my sexuality #NFFC
— Alex Maher (@AwyMaher) February 6, 2021
Garner is the type of player that we’ve been crying out for all season. A CM with the confidence & ability on the ball to link defence & attack. His cross-field pass for the 3rd goal was exquisite. Murray was exceptional – streetwise in leading the line & a natural goalscorer.
— MattDockers (@MattDockers) February 7, 2021
Best team goal of the season that. Outrageous pass by Garner. Some finish x
— CityGroundShelf (@CityGroundShelf) February 6, 2021
Keep rewatching that Garner pass from yesterday, struggling to see why Watford fans had a problem with him #NFFC #MUFC pic.twitter.com/YjrUs1gY0k
— Joe (@Beekstarr) February 7, 2021
That pass from Garner to Lolley is something else 🤩#NFFC pic.twitter.com/RgcjDOot9S
— Matt Lee (@MattLeeJourno) February 7, 2021
THAT pass by Garner out to Lolley for the 3rd goal 😍 #nffc #ManU
— Kitchen Table Mathematics JVT (@notnek73) February 7, 2021
Just found a clip that shows Garner’s pass. That was a thing of beauty! #nffc
— John Patching (Mr P) (@JohnPatching) February 7, 2021
Just have a look at James Garner's pass for our third goal today.
I'm dreading playing Watford if their midfield couldn't accommodate him!
What. A. Player.#NFFC https://t.co/VLs6zJ4BNa
— Lee Clarke (@Clarkey_No1) February 6, 2021
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