Ruben Amorim explains Alejandro Garnacho substitution after criticism from Man Utd legend | Football

Ruben Amorim says he substituted Alejandro Garnacho because he was tired and not able to fulfil his defensive duties, during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad.

The Europa League last 16 tie is level ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next week after the draw in northern Spain.

Joshua Zirkzee gave United the lead early in the second half as Amorim’s side looked on top, but a Mikel Oyarzabal penalty on 70 minutes levelled things for the home team.

While the Red Devils had edged it for the majority of the contest, they hung on a bit at the end, with Sociedad missing a couple of chances to pick up the win on the night.

Garnacho started the game and looked bright in spells, but missed a couple of good chances and faded in the second half.

He was replaced by Christian Eriksen on 78 minutes, although Amorim says there was nothing more to it than fatigue.

‘I felt he was tired,’ said the manager. ‘You see it because we did a lot of transitions in the second half, because sometimes he was late to defend.

‘Sometimes he was in the good position for transition but I felt he was tired to recover and do the same things. I look at the game as a whole, not just in transitions.’

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is not so convinced that the Argentina international is weary, more that he is whinging.

‘He looks like he’s sulking a bit,’ Scholes said on TNT Sports. ‘I’m not having the fatigue thing.

‘I was a little disappointed with Garnacho because his biggest strength is running through. He gives you penetration. Sometimes he makes the wrong decisions or plays the wrong ball but he just lacked a bit of energy tonight.

‘Little bit of sulkiness, I think. I’m sure he will get better and he needs to get better because they haven’t really got anyone else to call upon.’

Rasmus Hojlund played the entire match on Thursday night but his run of matches without a goal extended to 19.

The Dane fumed as Diogo Dalot refused the chance to play him in on goal in the first half, but Amorim was pleased with his efforts and told him to focus on the next game.

‘He’s trying really hard. He gave everything, he made the runs,’ said the manager. ‘He has to continue to play, not be anxious. In that position with Diogo he did a great run, win the position, sometimes the ball comes, sometimes it doesn’t. He has to think in this way in the next game.’

On the fluffed chance which saw Dalot break down the right but not square to an onrushing Hojlund, Amorim said: ‘I think it’s hard to say but I just imagine that Diogo doesn’t know for sure that Rasmus doesn’t have the advantage.

‘One thing is for sure is they are really anxious to score goals and to win games, so they want to do the best, but they don’t decide the best way in that position.

‘It was a clear situation, Rasmus did really well, Dalot did really well, the decision was not the best. The important thing is to move on and not stay like them fighting.’

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