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Amad says he wants Alejandro Garnacho at Manchester United next season.
Following recent reports that the head coach has told the player to find another club, reporters at the pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s match against China in Hong Kong suggested to Amorim that it was a surprise to see Garnacho on the tour.
“It is not a surprise. He is a player of Manchester United, all the players are here. Some players are injured and it was better for them not to fly here to play these two games. It is a normal situation.”
Amad was then asked about the Argentinian and he suggested the situation has been resolved:
“Alejandro is a really good player and we need good players in the team. I know Garna really well, so I hope to have Garna next season. It is not really a big issue for the team. Everything is good now.”
Amorim’s reaction as Amad said this was a broad grin as can be seen on this post on X:
Asked about the lacklustre performance in Malaysia yesterday, the boss said:
“Of course, the team is tired because we flew to Malaysia and with the jet lag we had a game in difficult conditions. But we are ready to play again and are really happy to be here. We enjoy the city and the weather is like Manchester!
“We have three players who have gone to India to give something to the fans around the world. All of them are going to play. If there is a physical issue, they cannot play. But if they are available, they will play this game.”
Amorim was then asked if Bruno Fernandes – also linked with a move away – and Garnacho will take part in tomorrow’s game.
“Yes, I heard that. If the players are available, I am going to put the players to play.
“I will try to divide [the team] because I don’t want all the young kids together. I don’t know if they will play together. I am trying to balance the team, but if they are fit, they will play. We will have the maximum respect for everybody here.”
Asked whether he has concerns about the condition of tomorrow’s pitch, the head coach replied:
“We are going to pay attention to that. If we are professional and we try to do things the right way and be focused on the game, it is the best way to protect our players from any injuries.”
Attention then turned to the fact that the players were booed off the pitch yesterday.
“I think if you focus a lot in one situation in the last game, let’s focus on all the game. If one player from Manchester United touched the ball in the beginning, the stadium went crazy. The environment was really good. We did our lap in the end and the fans were supporting our team. I think it was more supportive than the opposite. It is really hard to have an opinion when you ask about the tickets; I don’t know the context. I don’t know what happens with another team.”
“I think my job is to try and push the players to perform well; that is something I can do as a manager. We have a big team, big staff, to do these kind of encounters with the fans. We had something like that in Malaysia. I know the tour is really short, we have to travel a lot. When we reached the hotel, we had one hour and then we had training. That is the only way I can help the club in that department.”
Amad then spoke about the tour.
“We are here to give them [the fans] joy and time. We want to make sure they enjoy everything. We try to play every game more focused, like the manager said. The most important thing is to give them joy. If we give them joy, we are really happy with that.
“We played the game yesterday like a real game, we were really focused. ”
Amorim then corrected the Ivorian, saying:
“I think everybody understands that it is a really hard context because we had the season that we had. It is hard in these moments to face the fans around the world. We want to finish this season, but we also want to give something to the fans.
“I think it is clear that it is really tough for us in this moment not to close the season. But one thing that is really important is that we need to face our fans.
“Amad is trying to explain, but we were not really focused in the last game and everyone can feel it. We just want to turn the page and improve in the next season.”
The last question related to the responsibility of being Manchester United’s head coach.
“In this tour, I had a small meeting with the prime minister of Malaysia. You have the protocol, you have to improve as a person, you have to improve as a leader, you have to control the momentum.
“Sometimes you see it after the games that I am really frustrated. I am trying to control that. The only thing that I want is to improve the team and to have results. When you have results, you can manage everything so much easier.
“I think we, as a team, we learn how to lose games and control a little bit the narrative. With results it is so much easier. You are more than a coach; you are a manager and you need to be example. That is hard when you lose a lot of games.”
United’s match against China kicks off at 1pm UK time tomorrow.
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