Everton star is fulfilling his potential under David Moyes, years after winning Man Utd award

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Everton take on Manchester United on Monday night, which means James Garner is taking on his former club.

Everton players are back from international duty and will now turn their focus back to the Premier League.

The Toffees travel to take on Manchester United on Monday night, with the hosts already suffering a blow.

United striker Benjamin Sesko will miss out through injury, leaving Everton target Joshua Zirkzee to potentially step up.

David Moyes would love a win over his former side, and the same goes for Everton midfielder James Garner.

Everton’s James Garner was tipped for the top at Manchester United

Garner hails from Birkenhead but actually came up through the United ranks, having joined the Red Devils at Under-8 level.

Everton pounced to sign Garner in 2022, handing him a permanent move after loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest.

Garner has become a key man for Everton, fulfilling some of the potential he showed at Old Trafford.

Back in 2020, Garner was named Under-23 Player of the Year for United after his loan spells away from the club.

Former United ace Darren Fletcher even suggested that Garner was a ‘top class’ talent and backed him to shine for the first team at Old Trafford.

“People talk about the leaders and who is going to help them, which is an important side, so it’s a difficult one but I’m sure as the season goes on you’re going to see more of James Garner because he’s top class,” said Fletcher, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

“I’m surprised he’s not featured so far but by the end of the season I’m sure that people will know who he is without a doubt, if you don’t by now,” he added.

Garner impressed on loan at Forest, but it wasn’t enough for United to keep him around under Erik ten Hag.

United saw the talent and potential in Garner, but clearly believed that he wouldn’t make the grade.

The question you have to ask is just how United decided to sell Garner and spend millions more on Manuel Ugarte two years later.

Garner is no worse than Ugarte and still has plenty of untapped potential, so United’s loss has certainly been Everton’s gain.

Forget about losing James Garner in a cut-price deal

Garner has been crucial for Everton this season, performing at a high level at right-back and in central midfield.

David Moyes has backed Garner for England, but he won’t love some of the speculation around his future.

Newcastle are now showing an interest in Garner, though West Ham fans have strangely complained about being linked with the Everton ace.

Garner’s contract technically expires in the summer of 2026, meaning clubs may be eyeing a cut-price deal.

However, Everton have an option to extend Garner’s contract by another year, meaning there is no chance of him leaving for next to nothing.

Everton will hope to tie Garner down to a longer-term deal and will ultimately be delighted with the 2022 investment in the midfielder.