Former player Danny Murphy has urged Ruben Amorim to include Alejandro Garnacho in Manchester United's starting lineup against Liverpool.
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Amorim told to include Garnacho in lineupArgentine has not started in last three PL matchesUnited face Liverpool on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Garnacho has seen his game time reduced under new United boss Amorim as he has failed to make the starting lineup in their last three Premier League outings. However, ahead of their crucial clash against leaders Liverpool on Sunday, Murphy has claimed Garnacho must be included in the Red Devils XI if the Portuguese coach wants to exploit the Reds' biggest weakness.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT MURPHY SAID
In his column for the , the ex-Liverpool midfielder wrote: "Alejandro Garnacho has not started any of Manchester United’s last six games, but would be one of the first names on my teamsheet at Anfield on Sunday.
"If Liverpool have shown any weakness this season, it has been when players like Anthony Gordon, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tyler Dibling have run at them at speed. When Arne Slot’s men first see United’s team, they’ll be more concerned if Garnacho and Amad Diallo are in it rather than Rasmus Hojlund, for example."
He added: "I know there has been mention of Garnacho showing dissent to Amorim, and it may turn out he is not part of United’s long-term future because of the manager’s preferred formation. But whatever happens in the future should be set aside on Sunday. Liverpool away is a one-off. It is United’s biggest fixture and Amorim desperately needs to get a result.
"For 90 minutes, forget about the future project – try to get a result now. Garnacho is one of the few assets he has that will worry Liverpool. We saw against Newcastle on Monday that Hojlund running one-on-one against Fabian Schar posed little threat to a top defender."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Murphy further claimed the presence of pacy wingers like Garnacho and Diallo would create problems for Liverpool defenders, as he added: "Garnacho’s presence doesn’t guarantee a United win, but at least he and Diallo would give Liverpool’s defenders something to think about.
"If they are occupied by the threat of United’s counter, it will make them less aggressive in the press to give Amorim’s players more time on the ball. Beyond this weekend, we know United face a massive rebuild. Amorim needs new blood and that will cost money, meaning he also needs departures."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
Amorim's side, who have lost six out of their last nine matches across all competitions, will hope to get back to winning ways at Anfield. This will be followed by a trip to Arsenal next weekend in the FA Cup.
