Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has praised winger Alejandro Garnacho after he “changed in everything” since the disappointment of being left out of the Manchester derby.
Marcus Rashford and Garnacho were both left out of the squad that beat City in the middle of December, and while Rashford continues to be left out Garnacho has regularly featured, collecting an assist in the midweek win at FCSB as United sealed progress to the Europa League round of 16.
“He changed right away since that game against City,” head coach Amorim said of Garnacho. “The way he understands things and understands that I just want to help him, I just want to win games.
“He changed in everything: the approach when you talk with him, the way he recovers. He understands that sometimes I’m a different coach, that I am demanding in my way and sometimes it’s hard with the first impact because it’s a different kind of coach.
“He understands that it is never in a bad way, it’s always for him, but I am different person.
“I think all the merit (goes to) Garnacho. He is improving and we want to continue to improve with Garnacho.”
Garnacho had been linked with this month along with fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo.
The 19-year-old England midfielder played higher in a 10 role in Romania and impressed his manager.
Our midfielder 👏#MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/TKC17PKWaS
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2025
“Everybody in England sees him as a very, very good player,” Amorim added.
“He played in the European Championship final, so I think it is more the position. Then he’s not comfortable because before he was always playing and now he sometimes plays, sometimes doesn’t.
“But I think the key point is the position. It’s different for him, it demands a lot from him and in that position, I feel that (he was) more happy to play. Simple as that.
“I don’t look at just the movements, the way he touched the ball. I feel it just watching him. He was so happy on the pitch. That is important for me because if they are happy, they play better, so I think he can change position.”
