Ruben Amorim has praised Alejandro Garnacho for his change of attitude since being axed by the Manchester United boss.
Garnacho was dropped – along with fellow forward Marcus Rashford – for the derby against Manchester City on December 15 over his perceived poor attitude. But unlike Rashford, who has remained exiled ever since and has been told by Amorim he must change to get back into the team, Garnacho has flourished.
The winger came off the bench on Thursday to set up United’s second goal in a 2-0 win over FCSB in Bucharest, to confirm their place in the Europa League last 16. Garnacho has been linked with a move away from United before Monday’s transfer deadline, but Amorim’s praise underlined his desire to hold on to the 20-year-old.
“I don’t think he is improving because of me,” said Amorim. “He changed right away since that game against City. 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’m demanding in my way and sometimes it’s hard, because I’m a different kind of coach, a different person.
“But he understands that it’s never in a bad way. It’s always for him. I think all of the merit goes to Garnacho. He’s improving and we want to continue to improve with him. In the game he understood the position, the moment when to play inside and outside, and the connection with Diogo Dalot, that’s improving a lot, too.”
Another young United player who shone in Bucharest was midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who scored and produced a man-of-the-match display. Mainoo endured a recent dip in form, but Amorim does not feel that it was down to ongoing contract talks with United, but uncertainty over his best position.
“I don’t think it’s about his contract,” said Amorim. “Everybody in England sees him as a very good player. He played in the European Championship final. I think it’s more the position.
“He was not comfortable. Before, he was always playing. Now, he sometimes plays and sometimes not, so he wasn’t comfortable, so maybe it’s 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. Today, in that position, I feel he was more happy to play, simple as that.
“I don’t look at the movements, the way he touched the ball, I felt it just by watching him. He was so happy on the pitch. That’s important for me because if they’re happy, they play better. So I think he can change position.”
United are willing to listen to offers for young talents like Garnacho and Mainoo, because as academy graduates their value is greater set against profit and sustainability rules. Amorim acknowledged that, but said he wants to keep the pair. “That part is true, but I want players like Kobbie and Garnacho,” said Amorim.
“The focus is that we have to improve our academy and you have to bring more through. That is something all the clubs in England have to take advantage of – the players who come from the academy. To play, to fill the shirt and also to be able to sell them. So our focus is to bring more through.”
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