Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has explained why he expected reported Leicester City target James Garner to become a ‘very, very good midfielder’, even before his first loan spell away from the club. Garner spent six months on loan with Watford before Forest. It was in the early stages of that loan spell that Mata predicted big things for the midfielder, who he had taken under his wing.
Juan Mata said: “I always thought he is one of the players who, if he keeps going and keeps improving, in the way he was doing in the Academy, he can be a very, very good midfielder. I really like him; the way he plays on the ball, his cleverness, his way of looking forward, looking for a pass and also his attitude off the ball. So, whenever he was here, I always tried to encourage him and said what I believed he could be as a player. I always tried to motivate him and give him confidence as I think, when you’re that age, you need confidence and trust – not only from the manager but also from your team-mates.”
