Key quotes: Amorim’s Palace press conference

Key quotes: Amorim’s Palace press conference

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has reiterated Alejandro Garnacho’s importance to his side and says the young forward is “improving a lot”.

The 20-year-old impressed as a half-time introduction in Thursday’s win at FCSB and played his part as United scored two second-half goals in Romania to advance to the Europa League last 16, notably assisting Kobbie Mainoo’s strike that completed the scoring at 2-0.

Amorim was asked about Garnacho afterwards, during the section of his press conference to preview Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace, and explained the Argentina international deserves all the credit for the recent progression that he has shown.

Scroll down to see the boss’s answer in full, along with more quotes from his latest media briefing, in which he also provided detailed responses on Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw…

Press conference: United v Palace Video

Press conference: United v Palace

Press conference | The latest news and views from Ruben, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace…

GARNACHO DESERVES CREDIT FOR IMPROVEMENT

“I think he’s not improving under me [because of me]. He changed right away from that game [against] City [when he was not in the squad]. 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 I talk with him, the way he recovers. He understands sometimes that I’m a different coach, that I’m demanding in my way, sometimes it’s hard the first impact. It’s a different kind of coach and he understands that it’s never in a bad way, it’s always for him, but I’m a different person. I think all the merit is from Garnacho and he is improving, and we want to continue to improve with Garnacho. Today, he understood the position. The moments of playing inside, outside, the connection with Dalot, I think he’s improving a lot.”

MAINOO COULD HAVE NEW POSITION

“I don’t think it’s the contract [talk that has improved his form]. Everybody in England sees him as a very, very good player. He played in the European Championship final, so I think it’s more the position, then he’s not comfortable because before he was always playing and now sometimes plays, sometimes doesn’t play. Maybe there is something to do with that, but I think the key point is the position. It’s different for him, it demands a lot from him and today, I feel him happier to play [as an attacking midfielder]. Simple as that. I don’t look about just the movements, the way he touches 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 can play better. So, I think he can change position.”

LET’S KEEP IMPROVING OUR ACADEMY

“That part is true [clubs being able to raise money by selling Academy players] but I want players like Kobbie and Garnacho. The focus is that we have to improve our Academy and you have to bring more. Because that is something all the clubs in England have to take advantage of – the players who came from the Academy. To play, to feel the shirt and also to sell. So, our focus is to bring more. The rest, I just want to prepare with both of them for the next game.”

SHAW NEEDS MORE TIME TO TRAIN

 “It can take a little bit more time. I think he needs to train more, to spend more time with his team-mates playing even like normal, small-sided games, not just working alone. He stayed there [at Carrington] to make a different type of work, he’s going to get together with the team when we arrive and start from there. When I feel it is the right moment, we will start with some minutes in the games.”

LOAN BENEFICIAL FOR MALACIA?

“We will see. What I know is that it’s really hard on Malacia. A long time without playing and then it’s hard to make a lot of games and a player like him, he’s a full-back, and sometimes in this system – he played in the national team outside and inside – it’s hard for him because it’s not so offensive and he can play like one of the three defenders if we have more possession and more control of the games. So, it’s really a difficult context for him but he’s our player and we are going to help him.”

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