Manchester United handily defeated FCSB’s assault on Thursday, winning 2-0 at the National Arena in Bucharest to become the only side still undefeated in the Europa League group stages this season.
With the victory, they advanced straight to the Round of 16 after finishing third in the group stage. Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo’s goals in the second half sealed the victory.
Ruben Amorim will once again be happy with the contribution Alejandro Garnacho made to the game after entering as a second-half substitute, even though the midfield wizard will receive all the accolades.
The 20-year-old must have found it difficult to concentrate on the current game with all of the transfer rumors circulating. With the figures circulating, many more seasoned athletes are confused, but not the Argentine.
Outstanding impact right off the benchIn the first half, United played at a fairly sluggish pace, preferring to keep the ball and create few clear-cut opportunities.
However, the Argentina international turned everything around and nearly had an instant effect when he went straight at the FCSB goal after intercepting a bad ball, only to have his final attempt hit the post and fall wide.
Even though he only played 45 minutes, the Carrington graduate never lets a miss depress him. Whenever he grabbed the ball, he was always upbeat and took on his man, finishing with five dribbles, the most of any of his teammates.
In addition to making two crucial passes and creating one significant opportunity, he assisted Mainoo in scoring the goal. One attempt by the United No. 17 was also thwarted.
Garnacho should remain.The former Atletico Madrid star was a force out of possession as well, winning nine duels and four free kicks with his deft and quick feet, as his head coach had expected.
The left winger finished the game with 36 ball touches and an accuracy rate of 84 percent. A buddy with one long ball was also discovered by him (all stats via sofascore).
Garnacho has battled his way back since Amorim left him out of the Manchester derby team by paying attention to the coach and enhancing both his on-field and off-field performances.
He has 14 goal involvements this season despite a challenging campaign, and the club would suffer a great loss if they lost such a gifted player, particularly to a direct local competitor like Chelsea.
It will be intriguing to watch where Garnacho ends up after February 3 because Napoli is also a potential threat.