“He said…” Alejandro Garnacho revealed what Rúben Amorim said just before Manchester United change vs Leicester City

Alejandro Garnacho has revealed what Rúben Amorim told him before sending him on during Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Leicester City on Friday evening.

Manchester United have advanced to the FA Cup fifth round after Harry Maguire’s last-gasp header secured a dramatic victory over Leicester City on Friday night.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s visitors set up to absorb United’s early pressure, holding firm for the opening half-hour.

Despite United growing into the contest, it was Leicester who struck first just before the break, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid converting to put them ahead. Meanwhile, Rúben Amorim’s side failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.

Seeking a response, Amorim introduced Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirkzee after the interval. Garnacho’s impact was immediate, with a goal-bound effort cleared off the line, igniting the Old Trafford crowd. United’s pressure finally paid off when a deflected Rasmus Højlund effort fell to Zirkzee, who slotted home the equaliser.

With the game deep into stoppage time, United’s persistence was rewarded in dramatic fashion. Bruno Fernandes delivered a pinpoint free-kick into the area, and Maguire met it with a towering header to send Old Trafford into celebration and secure United’s passage to the next round.

What Amorim told Garnacho at half-time

The game-changing moment for Amorim was when he sent Garnacho onto the pitch fo rthe second half, where the winger terrorised the Leicester defence and created Zirkzee’s goal.

Speaking to MUTV, Garnacho was asked what Amorim told him before coming on, to which he replied, “Yeah, he doesn’t have to say too much. He has said to me the things I have to do, and he knows what I can do, so he said, play how you want to play, and just enjoy.”

Further, Garnacho was asked if he has enjoyed playing under Amorim so far, considering that he has had to adjust to new tactics and roles.

“I think he’s a great guy, you know,” the 20-year-old replied. “He likes to play like real football. So yeah, we have to work all together and we will be a better team in the future.”

What Amorim said of Garnacho after the game

During his pre-match press conference, Amorim was asked about the Argentina international, questioned on whether the 20-year-old was close to leaving United in January after being subject to interest from Napoli.

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“That is not important,” he said in reply. “We want players like Garnacho, who is really important.

“He changed the game today, with the runs [in] behind. Of course, you can feel it, that the opponent was getting tired adjusting with a lot of difficulties, not in the first half, but in the second half to stop Garnacho in the one-against-one, so we are very happy with him.

“And I think he helped a lot to change the game today.”

United have eight days to rest and train before they return to action as they travel to face Tottenham in the Premier League next Sunday.

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