We have quite some year in store.
Beyond a Premier League title race which no one would be wise to try to call, there is a European Championship which, for me, presents England with their best chance in modern times of lifting a trophy.
Here are five players whose progress I will be following in the year ahead..
Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United
When I watch Garnacho, it looks as if there might be a real player in there. He has pace, technical ability, can finish and possesses a real boldness and confidence to take chances, as his two strikes against Aston Villa and his wonder goal at Everton proved. He’s 19 and shows no fear.
What frustrates me about him are his theatrics and the infernal holding his hand up to his head when he has a shot at goal and it goes 10 yards wide, as if it’s a big drama. Did Ryan Giggs do that?
To Garnacho, I say: ‘Go and dig out some tapes of Giggs, the best winger we’ve seen in Britain in modern times and the finest since George Best was wearing a United shirt.’ It’s not all about you, son. Just get on with the game.
That theatrical stuff is not necessary and it’s not what top players do. It’s irritating to watch.
If he gets rid of that nonsense, he’ll be a player worth watching, though as a teenager, he should be dipping in and out of the team and not be a main man for United.
If we see less of him in 2024, it might actually mean United are putting their recruitment failings behind them.
