Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe has urged Alejandro Garnacho to make his commitment to the club clear on and off the pitch if he wants to earn Ruben Amorim’s trust. The 20-year-old winger has endured one of the most challenging weeks since establishing himself as a first-team player at Old Trafford.
Amorim excluded him alongside Marcus Rashford from his squad for last Sunday’s 2-1 derby victory against Manchester City, suggesting it was due to poor form in training and matches.
Garnacho returned to the fold in Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Tottenham but was only handed 20 minutes off the bench.
United’s fixtured are approaching thick and fast across the festive schedule, offering the Argentina international the opportunity to divert himself onto the right track quickly.
And Sharpe, while demanding Garnacho to respond to his head coach’s orders as he sets out to lay the correct foundations in Manchester, has backed his talent to shine through.
“Yes, absolutely [Garnacho will respond]. He must show 100 per cent commitment in training and everything he does in the club, both on and off the field,” Sharpe told Express Sport with 1337Games.
“Amorim has said he is looking to build a culture in the club, which is excellent, and set a tone for the club moving forward.
“This doesn’t happen overnight, but the fundamentals can be put in place for the players to adhere to.
“Garnacho has the talent, so he can look to respond in the best way by performing on the pitch, creating chances, making assists and scoring goals.”
Garnacho’s recent troubles were softened earlier this week when he was announced as the winner of the FIFA Puskas Award.
The United No. 17’s awe-inspiring bicycle kick against Everton last year was recognised as the best goal scored in world football from August 2023 to August 2024.
United released a statement congratulating their academy graduate, and Sharpe also hailed his brilliance in the memorable moment in the third minute of the 3-0 win at Goodison Park.
When asked whether Garnacho’s acrobatic strike was the worthy winner, Sharpe replied: “100 per cent! What a goal that was!
“Pure brilliance by the kid, and I don’t think he scores a better one than that. He has the talent to perform at that level every week and he can shine under Amorim for sure.
“I hope we see him continue to deliver on the pitch as Amorim will play a way that can get the best out of him, and he can thrive under this new way of playing.”
Garnacho will be eyeing a return to United’s starting line-up when AFC Bournemouth visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.