James Garner has signed a new deal with Manchester United until 2024 before going on a season loan to Nottingham Forest.
The 20-year-old, who has played for United’s first team seven times, graduated from the club’s academy after joining at the age of eight.
After signing his new deal, which includes an option to extend it for another year, Garner said: “I’m done, Manchester United has been a huge part of my life for over 10 years.
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“My ambitions are, of course, to be a first-team player here. I know exactly what it is all about, I am ready to demonstrate my skills to everyone and continue to achieve all of my goals.”
“Signing this new contract shows the club’s confidence in me, it gives me extra motivation and means so much to me and my family.
“I want to be a big player for this club one day, that’s my ultimate goal and I will work every day to make it happen.”
Garner is now returning to Forest, where he made 20 league appearances in the second half of last season and scored four goals on loan from the club.
He previously had a loan from Watford in the first half of the 2020/21 season, for which he also played 20 times in the league.
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We take a look at the four goals James Garner scored in the Sky Bet Championship this season while on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Could James Garner be the long-term solution to Manchester United’s midfield problems?
From Zinny Boswell
“We have great confidence in him as the next Michael Carrick,” said Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Garner in February 2019 after making the young midfielder’s debut in a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Two years later, Solskjaer’s side still has a Carrick-shaped hole in midfield. After losing 4-2 to Liverpool at Old Trafford in May, former club captain Roy Keane gave a devastating assessment of Solskjaer’s trusted midfield duo Scott McTominay and Fred.
Keane told Sky Sports: “As long as these two players are in midfield for Manchester United, they won’t win big trophies. I can’t believe how small Manchester United is.”
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, United’s academy director Nick Cox tells the story of Garner’s trip, gives his verdict on his performance this season and what the future holds for the 20-year-old.
