Alejandro Garnacho was an unused substitute against West Ham, despite the fact Manchester United were chasing a goal.
Erik ten Hag suggested Garnacho would play a part in United’s trip to West Ham on Sunday night after recovering from injury, but the manager turned to five other substitutes in attempt to salvage the game.
Anthony Martial came on for Wout Weghorst before Jadon Sancho and Marcel Sabitzer were introduced. The final two substitutes meant Fred and Diogo Dalot got some extra minutes under their belt.
Sadly, none of this was enough and United lost to West Ham.
Ten Hag explained why Garnacho didn’t come on after the match, while also confirming that he is fit and should feature next weekend against Wolves.
“He was on the bench, then, of course, he is capable of playing,” Ten Hag told reporters, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. “But we also had other options with Martial, with Jadon Sancho, with Sabitzer, offensive and fit – very fit – players are there and present, then you have to play them.
“But in one week, you have to see, it’s one week extra and he is brave, he can make a difference, yeah.
“You have seen we tried to change them but that’s always difficult when you are losing. You saw the team wanted, they put a lot of effort in and on occasions, they go in the wrong positions, they are forcing too much, too quickly, then it’s counterproductive.
“So we have to learn from such situations, stay calm, stay composed, then you create chances. We had some chances, the best I think was Martial but we have to create more.”
Garnacho’s return comes at a good time because this United side is crying out for a creative spark and we’ve been over-reliant on Marcus Rashford all season.
We also need players like Bruno Fernandes to stand up now we’ve reached the business end of the campaign.
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Pellestri haa created the most numner of chances per number of minutes played this season. Why does Ten Hag refuse to start him when Antony produces so little.
Exactly my point as well