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Tom Huddlestone, 35, setting up Alejandro Garnacho for late Man Utd U21s winner is surreal

Tom Huddlestone provided a beautiful assist for Alejandro Garnacho to score Manchester United Under-21s’ late winning goal against Barrow in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

The veteran midfielder, who turns 36 in December, picked out the talented Garnacho with a peach of a pass.

Garnacho, the Argentina Under-20 international who has made five senior appearances for United’s first team, took a few touches before producing a cool finish past goalkeeper Scott Moloney.

Huddlestone and his younger teammates then ran over to congratulate the South American, who was booked for taking his shirt off during the stoppage-time celebrations.

Video: Tom Huddlestone’s assist for Alejandro Garnacho

Watch Huddlestone’s assist for Garnacho here:

The former Derby County, Tottenham and Hull City midfielder, who made four appearances for England between 2009-2012, can still ping an inch-perfect pass.

Few players in Premier League history have been capable of hitting a ball as sweetly as Huddlestone, who joined Man Utd in August after signing a player-coach deal.

“Over the moon to announce I have been given the opportunity at this amazing football club to help coach and develop the next generation of talent coming through the system,” Huddlestone tweeted at the time.

“Grateful and honoured, now time to give back to the younger generation #MUFC.”

Fan reaction to Huddlestone’s assist for Garnacho

Some of the tongue-in-cheek reaction to Huddlestone’s assist has been quite amusing, here’s a selection of some of the tweets that have tickled us:

Can Tom Huddlestone play for Man Utd’s first team?

While some Man Utd fans have joked that they’d like to see Huddlestone in the first team, it seems that won’t be possible.

It was reported in August that Huddlestone signed under the agreement that he would not be part of Erik ten Hag’s first team.

The midfielder would be available exclusively to the U21s to provide in-game coaching.

He was also reportedly brought in to raise standards in training.

Playing alongside such a technically-gifted and experienced footballer will only benefit Man Utd’s youngsters.

The club’s surprise decision to hire him as a player-coach appears to be working out nicely for all concerned at the moment.

Man Utd U21s top of their EFL Trophy group

Charlie McNeill was also on the scoresheet for the Red Devils against Barrow.

Following their latest victory, United’s Under-21s currently sit top of Group G in the 2022-23 EFL Trophy with two wins from two.

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