Alejandro Garnacho exclusive: Manchester United winger on regaining Ruben Amorim's trust at Old Trafford - 'If I work, I'm going to play'
Published 07/05/2025 at 22:05 GMT+1
Alejandro Garnacho says he is doing "what I have to" in order to rise back into Ruben Amorim's favour. Garnacho dropped out of the Manchester United squad shortly after the Portuguese coach's arrival and was linked with a move away from the club before the January transfer window, but worked his way back into becoming a regular starter - and credited his own hard work for the revival.
Garnacho backs himself to do ‘right things’ to cement place in Amorim plans
Video credit: TNT Sports
Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho said his hard work was a leading factor in regaining regular game time under Ruben Amorim.
Garnacho, alongside Marcus Rashford, was dropped for United's derby clash against Manchester City in December, just weeks after Amorim's arrival.
The Argentinian forward, though, soon regained his place in the Portuguese coach's squad, and the United boss said Garnacho "changed right away" following his absence for the match against City, despite ongoing speculation over a potential exit in January.
Garnacho has been a regular member of Amorim's squad since, with his side in command of their UEFA Europa League semi-final against Athletic Club as they hold a 3-0 lead heading into Thursday's second leg at Old Trafford - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Garnacho said he now knows what it takes to play for United, and will continue to do so, as long as he puts the work in.
"You can be out for that game [v City], but I know if I work, and I try to do the right things, I'm going to play because I know the player I am," Garnacho said.
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"I just need to do this, and I did. So I think now we are doing better things, and if we win the competition, it will be very nice for us."
He added: "When there are good moments, everyone is happy about it. When it's difficult, you have to work harder. That's what I did, what I have to do to be here and to play for this club."
United remain slumped in 15th place in the Premier League table, following their 16th defeat of the campaign against Brentford on Sunday.
Amorim's side, however, remain undefeated in Europe this season. They are now just two Europa League victories away from securing UEFA Champions League football next season.
Garnacho acknowleged United are "far" from their ultimate goal of competing at the top end of the Premier League and Champions League, but feels competing in Europe's premier competition is a minimum requirement.
"A club like Manchester United, we have to play Champions League," Garnacho said.
"We won two trophies [in the] last two seasons, we are in the semi-final now, but I think the main trophies are the [Premier] League and the Champions League. We are far from this, but we have to improve, and one day be there."
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'We got a little bit lucky'
Garnacho said the United squad are "not focused" on the 3-0 lead they hold over their Basque opposition heading into Thursday's decisive leg.
The 20-year-old felt his side were a "little bit lucky" to come away from San Mames with a three-goal cushion, which was influenced by defender Dani Vivian's red card on 35 minutes following a challenge on United striker Rasmus Hojlund, resulting in a penalty which Bruno Fernandes converted for a 2-0 lead.
"They are the team with the least goals conceded in the league [La Liga]," Garnacho said. "We did the job, we got a little bit lucky with the red and the penalty.
"We finished the game 3-0, but we are not focused on that, trust me. We want to win the game and be in the final."
The United squad will have their swashbuckling 7-6 aggregate victory over Lyon in the quarter-final at the forefront of their minds as an example of how a European tie can change within mere minutes.
Amorim's side surrendered a two-goal cushion in the second half before then falling two goals behind in extra-time. United, though, netted three times in seven minutes to secure a dramatic victory. Garnacho said his team can take "confidence" from the frenetic affair.
"We know today in football everything can happen," Garnacho said. "You see the last game at home against Lyon we needed three goals in [seven] minutes. We did.
"This gave some confidence to them. They can score [a] fast goal, first half or something and come back in the game. We were happy, but we know we need to finish the job tomorrow."
How to watch Manchester United v Athletic Club
Manchester United host Athletic Club on Thursday, May 8 at Old Trafford, with the game kicking off at 20:00 UK time.
You can watch the game on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 19:00 UK time.
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