Manchester United’s latest performance was yet another that did little to lower the heart rate with Ruben Amorim’s men having to fight until the very end to secure a 3-2 win against lowly Ipswich Town at Old Trafford.
United looked to be in control of proceedings until Patrick Dorgu was sent off moments before half time which led to Alejandro Garnacho being sacrificed as Amorim attempted to keep the balance of his side.
Up to his substitution Garnacho was enjoying a decent first half down the left flank which saw him and Dorgu emerge as the biggest threat to Kieran McKenna’s men who had took an early lead.
Garnacho was naturally disappointed at being the man to make way and talks have resurfaced regarding the Argentine’s future at the club.
As reported by The Mirror, former United striker Michael Owen spoke on Garnacho’s current plight and feels Amorim clearly doesn’t fully trust the 20-year-old as yet.
“There is a choice for Amorim and he’s not playing him. He’s a good player. I’m sure Manchester United fans will want to keep him, but Amorim will be seeing him every day and making his choices. So far, actions speak louder than words, and Amorim’s actions say that he’s possibly dispensable.
“At the moment, he’s not getting into the Manchester United side. If he was that good, you know, Ruben Amorim would consider him to be undroppable even though he has been reportedly misbehaving,” the former striker said.
Owen continued by saying he believes Garnacho is yet to reach the level that would deem him to be an automatic starter and feels there is still much more improvement to be done in his game.
“Ability-wise Garnacho is very good, but he’s not great. He’s very good at the moment and lots of people keep telling me how good he is, and I keep watching him think, yeah, he is very good, but I’m still waiting to see him be great,” said Owen.
The 2001 Ballon D’Or winner then added that people “get carried away” with young players and although he feels Garnacho has the “potential to be really good” is still waiting to see him produce it on a consistent basis at Old Trafford.
The youngster walked down the tunnel after his substitution last night, prompting Amorim to admit that he will “have words” with the player who he has previously called out for a lack of professionalism.
To his credit Garnacho has kept his head down since his infamous admission from the Manchester Derby in December where Amorim questioned his approach in and around the training ground the week prior.
Amorim has since praised Garnacho’s attitude who has regained his place in the squad but yesterday’s episode has the potential to undo the hard work produced in recent weeks and is yet another issue the United head coach has to deal with.
United are back in action in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday and it will be interesting to see what part Garnacho plays in the home tie against Fulham.
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
