Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has aimed a clear warning at Alejandro Garnacho by dropping him to the bench against Everton on Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils have travelled to Goodison Park for the final time, vying to improve a rotten run of eight defeats in 12 Premier League games.
Garnacho had started the last three league matches, but while acting as Amorim’s most energetic attacking outlet, his finishing continues to let him down.
The 20-year-old winger hasn’t registered a single goal or assist in his last 13 Premier League outings, failing to score in 18 games in all competitions.
Of all players in the English top-flight to have had 10 or more big chances, Garnacho’s conversion rate is the lowest, having scored just two of his 14 (14.3 per cent).
His struggles have contributed to United’s lack of goals, netting just 28 times in 25 league fixtures, a tally almost matched by Mohamed Salah.
United’s shot conversion rate of 8.4 per cent is the second-lowest in the Premier League behind Southampton’s 7.9 per cent, and Amorim has acted.
The Portuguese head coach has pushed Bruno Fernandes further forward into his more natural attacking midfield position after utilising him deeper in recent weeks.
Garnacho has dropped to the bench, with Manuel Ugarte returning to the team after making last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur through a minor injury.
United supporters have grown frustrated at Fernandes’ deeper role, given his status as Amorim’s best attacker and track record of goals and assists since joining from Sporting in 2020.
Gary Neville was particularly critical of the 30-year-old’s tiresome role against Spurs last time out, covering centrally and out wide in midfield.
However, against Everton, Fernandes should be far more comfortable alongside Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund as United’s front three.
Switching Garnacho out for Ugarte was Amorim’s only change at Goodison Park, with Casemiro and wing-backs Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu making up the midfield.
Harry Maguire continues to play a prominent role at the heart of Amorim’s back three in between Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.
Andre Onana remains United’s sole senior goalkeeper, while Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton stay sidelined. Academy stoppers Elyh Harrison and Hubert Graczyk feature on another youthful bench.
Victor Lindelof, Leny Yoro and Christian Eriksen join Garnacho as the senior representatives among Amorim’s substitutes.
January centre-back signing Ayden Heaven is awaiting his maiden first-team minutes, as is academy midfielder Sekou Kone. Chido Obi may receive another taste of action after his two-minute cameo against Spurs.
Man Utd XI vs Everton: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, De Ligt; Dalot, Casemiro, Ugarte, Dorgu; Zirkzee, Fernandes, Hojlund.
