I won’t be surprised if he leaves in the January transfer window because he’s definitely not a fit for Ruben Amorim’s system. He lacked the presence that he normally has whenever he plays for Man United. He’s an incredible player but he needs to adapt to the new system quickly” – This is according to Rio Ferdinand as he declares that Manchester United’s ‘incredible’ star struggles to fit into Ruben Amorim’s tactical system. While the player has proven his ability in the past, adapting to Amorim’s system will likely require a shift in focus and adjustment to his game. This situation underscores the challenges of aligning individual talent with a manager’s vision and highlights the evolving dynamics within United’s squad under Amorim’s leadership.

Ruben Amorim will have opportunities in upcoming transfer windows to shape his Manchester United squad to his liking. However, for now, he must make the most of the resources at his disposal. Robbie Savage has suggested that Amorim should reconsider deploying Alejandro Garnacho as a creative ‘number ten,’ as it may not suit the player’s strengths.

Under former manager Erik ten Hag, Garnacho excelled on the wing in a 4-2-3-1 setup, leveraging his pace and tenacity to beat defenders, create opportunities, and draw fouls. However, Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-3 system, which demands more creativity from central attackers, seems less suited to Garnacho’s skill set.

Savage: Garnacho Better Suited to Wing-Back Role
Savage believes Garnacho’s talents may be better utilized in a wing-back position. While Garnacho has shown an ability to create chances, teammates like Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes are more naturally inclined to provide the creativity Amorim’s system demands. Garnacho’s current stats also highlight areas for improvement in adapting to a more central role:

Stats Output Squad Rank
Minutes Played 799 8th
Goals 3 1st
Key Passes Per Game 0.8 =8th
Shots Per Game 2.8 2nd
Dribbles Per Game 0.5 9th
Match Rating 6.58 12th
Savage argued that Garnacho’s energy and tenacity make him a strong candidate for a wing-back role, freeing up central positions for players like Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo, and Mason Mount.

Currently, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot occupy the wing-back roles, but Garnacho’s adaptation to a wide midfield or wing-back position could add attacking dynamism to United’s setup. Amorim could then focus on creating a more aggressive and fluid offensive system, addressing United’s recent struggles to score consistently.

If Garnacho adjusts successfully, he could play a vital role in Amorim’s plans, providing defensive coverage while adding a creative spark from the flanks.

Ruben Amorim faces tactical challenges as he looks to integrate Alejandro Garnacho into his Manchester United system. Robbie Savage’s suggestion of utilizing Garnacho as a wing-back highlights the growing debate over the Argentine’s best role in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.

### **Challenges in the Number Ten Role**
Garnacho thrived as a winger under Erik ten Hag, using his pace, directness, and tenacity to stretch defenses and create chances. However, Amorim’s system places greater creative responsibility on central attackers, which may not align with Garnacho’s natural strengths. His current stats in a more central role reflect this mismatch:

| **Stats** | **Output** | **Squad Rank** |
|————————–|————|—————-|
| Minutes Played | 799 | 8th |
| Goals | 3 | 1st |
| Key Passes Per Game | 0.8 | =8th |
| Shots Per Game | 2.8 | 2nd |
| Dribbles Per Game | 0.5 | 9th |
| Match Rating | 6.58 | 12th |

While Garnacho leads the team in goals and ranks high in shots per game, his limited key passes and dribbles per game suggest he’s less effective in a creative or central playmaking role.

### **Potential as a Wing-Back**
Savage argues that Garnacho’s tenacity and attacking instincts could be better harnessed in a wing-back position, where he would have the space to run at defenders and contribute defensively. Key advantages include:
– **Energy and Work Rate:** Garnacho’s ability to track back and press opponents could provide balance in wide areas.
– **Offensive Dynamism:** Positioned as a wing-back, he could exploit open spaces to create opportunities and join attacks from deeper positions.

### **Impact on the Current Setup**
Deploying Garnacho as a wing-back would free up central creative responsibilities for more natural playmakers, such as Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, or Mason Mount. Additionally, it could address Manchester United’s recent lack of fluidity in attack.

Amorim already relies on **Noussair Mazraoui** and **Diogo Dalot** in wing-back roles, but Garnacho’s adaptation could add an extra dimension, particularly against teams that sit deep and limit space in central areas.

### **Future Implications**
If Garnacho successfully transitions to this role, Amorim would gain a versatile player capable of influencing matches in both attacking and defensive phases. While this change would require tactical adjustments and training, it aligns with Amorim’s need to maximize his resources while building a squad suited to his philosophy.