At the entrance to the media hall in Carrington, Manchester United's magnificent training complex, there are portraits on the wall of three of the team's players who won the title of England's youth player of the year: Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes - and Alejandro Granacho.
It is still early to compare the 18-year-old striker to giants like Giggs and Scholes, but at least according to what we see from him this season, he is on the right track.
On Wednesday, the Argentinian scored in the 90th minute against West Ham the goal that actually secured United's promotion to the quarter-finals of the Cup, for an intriguing meeting against Fulham and Manor Solomon in two weeks.
By the way, Granacho scored the winning goal against Fulham in the league meeting in November, and even then it was in the 90th minute.
But Granacho is much more than a gifted scorer.
At the age of 18, he already has the whole package: dribbling, speed, goals, and also the mannerisms of a star.
Grenache celebrates.
Something special, photo: AFP
At the beginning of the season he played in the reserve team, and only here and there coach Eric ten Haah let him come on as a substitute.
But in recent times he has been in the lineup much more, as happened against West Ham.
It was the tenth time that Granacho started in the lineup, and his balance this season is impressive: 4 goals and 5 assists in all formats.
Ten Haah, the man who changed Manchester United from end to end, said after the victory on Wednesday: "Today he took another step. And that's exactly what I told him, that now is his time to influence the games when he is in the lineup and not only when he comes on as a substitute."
The coach added: "There are not many players in the world who can dribble past the opponent's players like him. Besides, he is brave, he has no fear, and he can run for 90 and 120 minutes without a break."
Tan Ha Ha with Granacho.
Believing in the child, photo: Getty
Choose Argentina and not Spain
Born in Madrid to a Spanish father and an Argentinian mother, Granacho played for Atletico Madrid's youth team before joining United's academy two and a half years ago.
Very quickly he became the big star of the academy and in the final of the youth cup last season he scored the winning pair in 1:3 against Nottingham Forest.
67 thousand spectators, most of them of course United fans, came to Old Trafford to watch the final, and fell in love with Granazzo at first sight.
Even in Argentina, they noticed the boy's abilities and managed to convince him to move and play in the Albiceleste uniform.
It was not easy, because he was born in Madrid and played three times in the Spanish national team uniform until the age of 18.
The national coach Lionel Scalloni understood that this was a rare talent that Argentina must not miss, and surprised when he included the 17-year-old Granacho in the expanded squad for the final matches of last year's World Cup qualifiers.
Although he was not in the squad for Qatar, the decision was made: Argentina and not Spain.
Fact: He celebrated winning the Youth Cup with the Argentine flag.
Scalone.
He did not give up on him, photo: Reuters
About a year ago, Granacho played for Argentina's youth team in a tournament in the USA and scored 4 goals in 5 games, but now the real thing is coming. Last Friday, Scalloni called the striker to the national team, which in the meantime was crowned world champion. The debut, alongside Leo Messi, he should register at the end of the month, in Argentina's friendlies against Panama and Curacao.
Now it's only a matter of time before Grenache becomes a regular at United.
In the meantime, he continues to make headlines, among other things, to upset the Barcelona fans.
After United beat Barca and knocked them out of the Europa League, the player celebrated by mimicking the celebration that has become Pedri's trademark "goggles" with his hands over his eyes.
Barca fans were outraged, as the injured Pedri did not play, and for them it was a pointless tease.
Granacho also tweeted: "The big team is going to the next level."
As far as United fans are concerned, this is indicative of the youngster's impressive self-confidence.
They hope to see him continue his great ability tonight as well, in the match against arch rivals Liverpool, when United wants to continue to challenge the two leaders, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Granacho.
The celebration that upset the Barcelona fans, photo: AP
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