Ruben Amorim has conceded Alejandro Garnacho is ‘trying too much’ after the Manchester United star’s frustrating display in the defeat to Nottingham Forest.
United registered 24 shots on target at the City Ground but failed to truly trouble Forest goalkeeper Mats Sels as they suffered their 13th Premier League defeat of the season on Tuesday night.
Garnacho had more shots on goal than any other player on the pitch with six attempts in total – three of those off target and three blocked by Forest players.
The 20-year-old’s dribbling also let him down on a night where Anthony Elanga – a winger United sold in in 2023 – scored the game’s only goal with a sublime individual effort, racing forward from deep in his own half past three players before beating Andre Onana.
Garnacho, pursued by Chelsea and Napoli during the January transfer window, had a night to forget against Forest, with defeat leaving Ruben Amorim’s side marooned in 13th place.
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Speaking in his post-match press conference, Amorim defended his winger after what was an inpsiid all-round attacking display from his side.
While pleased with his efforts in tracking back, he did admit Garnacho was guilty of overlooking the runs of left wing-back Patrick Dorgu and making the wrong choices on the pitch.
‘He is trying,’ Amorim said. ‘Sometimes you have one day when you are doing the right things but in the final third we were not that good and that can happen.’
Asked if Garnacho was showing signs of trying too hard by taking on too many shots, Amorim continued: ‘That can happen in the game.
‘The most important thing in the game is when he needs to run back he is running back.
‘Of course we want a player who is one against one, sometimes he is trying too much, he has Dorgu to make a movement but I think he wants to help the team and is doing the best.
‘Sometimes he doesn’t make the best choice but I think you can point to any player [and say that] today.’
Garnacho has scored eight goals and provided eight assists in all competitions this season, hitting the back of the net in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City before the international break.
United are back in action on Sunday when they take on Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s side clinched a huge win over their neighbours in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in December with Amad Diallo, currently out injured, scoring twice for his side.
United then take on Lyon in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final next week.