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Keeping Thursday’s Europa League semi-final second leg in mind, Ruben Amorim decided to make a lot of changes to his Manchester United team for their game against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors did score first through Mason Mount, but subsequently conceded four times as the hosts used their superior physicality to bully the United backline into submission.
Alejandro Garnacho sparked hopes of a late comeback with a long-range screamer while substitute Amad added a third in added time. But the away side eventually ran out of time and ended up losing 3-4.
The comeback spirit on show was commendable and a reminder that one cannot take the Red Devils for granted at any stage of a game while the return to goalscoring ways for the Argentine was another huge boost.
Garnacho returns to form
It has been an up-and-down campaign for him but he has still managed 11 goals and 10 assists and at 20, there is a lot more to come from Garnacho should United not sell him in the summer.
The 20-year-old has hardly got any rest since January and while his finishing has often let him down, his effort cannot be understated.
He never gives up and every time the Argentina international gets the ball, his only thought is to take on his man. His goal was a thing of beauty as he curled hom from range after carrying the ball on his own from midfield.
The versatile attacker could have had another at the stroke of half-time but he fluffed his lines from an accurate cutback from Mount, who tried to return the favour for his goal.
Worked his socks off again
On Sunday, he grabbed a goal and an assist while taking two shots. The Carrington graduate made five key passes, while creating five chances, the most among his teammates.
He completed a 100 percent of his long balls while also getting one successful cross in. The United No 17 completed 31 out of 39 passes with two of them being into the final third.
He worked hard off the ball as well, completing one clearance, and one tackle while recovering the ball five times. Garnacho also won two ground duels (stats via sofascore).
The Argentine star is expected to start against Athletic Club and Amorim will expect more direct running from him as United look to qualify for the final.
Feature image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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