Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that he intends to have a discussion with Alejandro Garnacho regarding the winger’s reaction to being substituted in the first half of United’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
Garnacho was withdrawn in the 43rd minute following Patrick Dorgu’s red card, with Amorim opting to introduce defender Noussair Mazraoui in a tactical reshuffle. Instead of taking a seat on the bench in the pouring Manchester rain, the 20-year-old Argentine headed straight down the tunnel and did not return for the remainder of the match.
Addressing Garnacho’s visible frustration, Amorim acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision but stood by his tactical approach.
“It was cold and wet,” Amorim explained. “The plan was to switch to a 5-3-1 formation. That’s always a risk because Garnacho is one of our biggest threats in one-on-one situations with his pace, but I felt the team was in control of the game and close to half-time. We had to make a choice, and unfortunately, he was the one to come off.”
Garnacho’s reaction will be a topic of discussion between the player and his manager, though Amorim was keen to play down any potential controversy.
“You’re making a connection with Rashford, right?” Amorim responded when asked if Garnacho’s response echoed previous disciplinary concerns within the squad. “I’m obviously going to speak with him about it, and if you want, I’ll update you in the next press conference.”
Garnacho had been briefly dropped from the squad—alongside Marcus Rashford—shortly after Amorim’s arrival due to concerns over effort levels in training. However, while Garnacho has since worked his way back into the team, Rashford was sent out on loan to Aston Villa during the January transfer window.
The match itself was a rollercoaster affair. United found themselves trailing inside the opening minutes after a defensive mix-up between Dorgu and goalkeeper André Onana gifted Jaden Philogene an easy tap-in. However, they responded well, leveling the score through a Sam Morsy own goal before Matthijs de Ligt fired them into the lead.
Just before half-time, Ipswich equalized again after United conceded another sloppy goal, and matters were made worse by Dorgu’s sending-off. But despite being down to 10 men, Amorim’s side showed great resilience in the second half.
Harry Maguire rose highest to head United back in front in the 47th minute, and the Red Devils defended resolutely to secure a crucial three points. The victory lifted them above Everton into 14th place, effectively ending any lingering concerns about relegation.
Amorim, while acknowledging moments of frustration, was ultimately pleased with the team’s performance.
“I’m not frustrated,” he told TNT Sports. “Obviously, certain moments in the game were frustrating because we were controlling it well. Mistakes happen, but from the first whistle, I felt the players were sharp and committed.
“We scored two good goals, and then the red card changed the dynamic. But the fight and determination the team showed, especially with the support of our fans, was fantastic. I think we fully deserved the three points.”
