Ruben Amorim was likely keeping a close eye on Manchester United’s 5-2 victory against Leicester City.
Manchester United are closing in on the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club’s next manager after Erik ten Hag was sacked at the start of the week.
But it was interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy who took charge of United on Wednesday night as the manager search continued and the legendary striker oversaw a goal-crazed match at Old Trafford.
United beat Leicester 5-2 to book their spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. The Red Devils will face Tottenham in the next round.
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro both scored twice, but it was fellow goalscorer Alejandro Garnacho who sent a strong message to incoming boss Ruben Amorim.
Alejandro Garnacho shines for Man United vs Leicester City
Garnacho extended his lead as United’s top scorer this season after netting his sixth of the season at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old latched onto Diogo Dalot’s low-driven cross from the right and fired the ball into the roof of the net. He also picked up an assist after teeing up Casemiro for his thunderous opener.
It means Garnacho has now got 10 goal contributions in 15 matches this season, and he is well on his way to beating his career high from the 2023/24 campaign where he scored 10 and assisted five.
Casemiro and Fernandes will understandably hog the headlines for their outstanding performances, but Garnacho was also excellent.
Before being replaced by Rasmus Hojlund with 20 minutes remaining, Garnacho took 41 touches, made five key passes and ended with a pass completion rate of 85 percent.
He only lost possession six times and helped defensively with three interceptions and two tackles.
Alejandro Garnacho ready to fight for his spot under Ruben Amorim
After assessing Amorim’s “spectacular” tactics at Sporting, he is expected to implement a 3-4-3 system at United having enjoyed huge success with it in Portugal.
The width in his system is provided by wing-backs, with Amorim preferring to play two No.10s in behind a central striker.
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Taking a look at how United could line up under Amorim, it doesn’t spell good news for Garnacho, who could lose his starting spot out wide with the likes of Fernandes and Marcus Rashford more naturally suited to Amorim’s system.
However, Garnacho proved against Leicester that he is up for the fight and he outshone both Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee against Leicester with an impressive showing on the left.
Whether it’s as a wing-back or as one of Amorim’s No.10s, Garnacho seems eager to force his way into the new United manager’s plans.
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