Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has addressed Alejandro Garnacho’s reaction to being substituted during Wednesday’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Ipswich Town, stating that the winger will buy the team dinner as a form of apology.
Garnacho was withdrawn shortly before halftime, following Patrick Dorgu’s red card. Amorim explained that the substitution was a tactical decision to maintain a five-at-the-back system, with Noussair Mazraoui coming on as a replacement. Garnacho walked directly down the tunnel at Old Trafford after being taken off, and later posted a photo of himself walking towards the tunnel on his Instagram story.
Amorim had stated immediately after the match that he would speak to Garnacho about the incident. He confirmed on Friday, ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Fulham, that the conversation had taken place.
“He came to me. Was funny because the next day he came to me to my office,” Amorim said. “I did some investigation and he went to the dressing room, changed his clothes because he was wet, he watched the game not on the bench and at the end of the game he was there and went home. So there is not an issue there.”
Amorim emphasized the importance of perception, particularly at a club like Manchester United. “He’s a young kid that will learn. The important thing was the next morning he was speaking with me… We have to understand the situation, the context, the age of the players, of course they have to be better. They have to understand perception here is really important. But you can deal with that the next day and move on so let’s just move on. But I told him at Manchester United everything is important and the perception in a big club is really important. So he is going to pay a dinner to all the team and that’s it.”
Amorim drew a parallel with a previous incident involving Joshua Zirkzee, who was substituted early in a match against Newcastle United in December. He reiterated that while understanding players’ frustration, they need to manage their reactions appropriately. “I think he understands. But, like I said, (the players) read everything, all the small things. And I know the players quite well, I played for quite a while, I understand they are frustrated. He was subbed, he was playing well and has to go off in that moment of the game. It’s hard to deal with everything but they have to deal with everything. I just try to help them be better footballers.”
The win over Ipswich moved United to 14th in the Premier League. After the FA Cup match against Fulham, they face Real Sociedad in the Europa League last-16 first leg on Thursday, followed by a home league fixture against Arsenal on Sunday, March 9th.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.