James Garner plays 90 minutes for Manchester United during pre-season win

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Nottingham Forest are interested in Manchester United starlet James Garner this summer. Yesterday, Erik ten Hag did something that the Reds faithful won’t agree with.

Forest fans grew fond of Garner last season. He assisted the goal that saw the Reds win promotion and supporters would dearly love him back at the City Ground.

Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. It will largely depend on how Ten Hag views the landscape and yesterday he utilised him for 90 minutes of a friendly against Wrexham.

The big talking point was Christian Eriksen making his debut. The Dane scored but only Garner and Raphael Varane started and played the full 90 minutes.

Eriksen was joined on the scoresheet by Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and Alex Telles during a 4-1 win. Garner will have welcomed the run-out, albeit against lower league opposition.

A large factor in whether or not the 21-year-old wins an Old Trafford chance will be Frenkie de Jong. A move for the Barcelona midfielder has stuttered and that could open the door for Garner.

If De Jong does arrive at the Theatre of Dreams, Garner might be allowed to leave. It was claimed yesterday that the England under-21 international remained on the shortlist at Forest.

Forest remained interested in Garner but are they losing the battle

It does seem unlikely that United will sell Garner this summer. Ten Hag clearly wants to take a look at the midfielder and any deal is unlikely to be imminent.

If Forest are going to sign Garner, they will have to play a waiting game. Dean Henderson arriving on loan at Forest makes things complicated, given that another temporary deal for the youngster is off the table.

It does seem unlikely that United will stick with their current midfield options. Even if De Jong is unobtainable, they’ll likely go for someone else and Garner could slip down the pecking order.

Forest’s interest won’t waver. Ten Hag choosing to use Garner for 90 minutes yesterday, however, indicates that he clearly wants to give him every chance possible to prove himself.