Manchester United threw away their lead against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Joshua Zirkzee scored his first-ever goal in Europe to open the scoring in Spain, but Bruno Fernandes conceded a penalty for handball which gave Real Sociedad a way back into the game.
In the end, Manchester United settled for a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, meaning there is plenty to be decided in the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Ruben Amorim only named an 18-man United squad to travel to San Sebastian, meaning he once again could not fill a full bench even with two academy goalkeepers.
With Chido Obi ineligible to play in the Europa League, Amorim recalled Alejandro Garnacho to the starting lineup, and United’s tricky winger lined up on the right of a front three.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho spotted sulking after Ruben Amorim sub
Garnacho impressed against Sociedad, and he added to his assist tally by picking out Zirkzee with a cut-back in the second half.
But for the fourth game in a row, Garnacho failed to play a full 90 minutes with Amorim deciding to replace him with Christian Eriksen in the 78th minute.
More United News
Speaking to TNT Sports after the full-time whistle, Paul Scholes believes Garnacho was “sulking” on the bench after being brought off.
The United legend was not overly pleased with his performance either, saying: “He looks like he’s sulking a little to me. I’m not having the fatigue bit, I think they’re alright.
“I think where I was a little bit disappointed with Garnacho is that his biggest strength is running through. He gives you penetration – sometimes he makes the wrong decisions, but it was just a lack of energy from him tonight.
“And a little bit of sulkiness I think. He’ll get better and he needs to get better because they don’t really have anyone else to call upon.”
Alejandro Garnacho’s attitude questioned again
Back in December, Amorim dropped Garnacho from the squad for the Manchester derby. Unlike Marcus Rashford, he eventually worked his way back into the side.
When Patrick Dorgu was sent off against Ipswich Town, it was Garnacho who was sacrificed by Amorim, and Garnacho headed straight down the tunnel.
Garnacho treated his United teammates to dinner as a result of his tunnel strop, with Amorim insisting the perception of his players is important, even if there was no harm meant by his actions.
READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho breaks silence with four-word message to Man Utd after criticism over previous post
There were reports that Garnacho was “arguing” with Amorim in the same week, so keeping his feet on the ground is something United will be keen to do.
But the best way for Garnacho to respond is to do his talking on the pitch, and that is exactly what Amorim will expect from him when Sociedad come to Manchester next week.