Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has set a clear challenge for Alejandro Garnacho, as questions surrounding the winger’s future at Old Trafford intensify.

The Argentine talent has struggled to cement his place under Amorim, starting only five of the 13 matches since the Portuguese coach took over. Garnacho was notably left out of the squad during United’s recent derby victory against Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Napoli has reportedly taken an interest in Garnacho as they prepare for the potential departure of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is rumored to be heading to Paris Saint-Germain.

Amorim has stressed that for Garnacho to thrive in his system, he must adapt to a new tactical role. “He has immense talent, but he needs to learn to play in a different position,” Amorim explained. “He needs to be more effective in central areas.”

The manager acknowledged Garnacho’s improvement in off-the-ball work but highlighted that it occasionally disrupts his positioning during transitions.

Under Amorim’s philosophy, which prioritizes defensive stability before attacking movements, Garnacho has shown signs of progress. “He’s learning to perform better within this system,” Amorim said. “He’s improving in training, and he started the game against Arsenal. Let’s see how he performs against Southampton. I think he’s starting to view his role differently.”

After standout displays against Liverpool and Arsenal, Amorim aims to mold United into a more resilient team, particularly at Old Trafford. “We want to be difficult to play against,” he stated. “In recent home games, we’ve been too easy to break down, and we need to address that.”

Amorim emphasized the importance of consistency and rising to the challenge in the face of growing expectations. “The last two games taught me a lot about my players. We were underdogs, and no one expected us to perform as we did. Now, with expectations higher, the next game will reveal even more about our character and potential.”

As Garnacho navigates these challenges, his ability to adapt and grow will be crucial not only for his future at United but also in fending off interest from suitors like Napoli.

Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Brentford should have ended in a comfortable victory, but the team’s inability to capitalize on key moments led to a disappointing result.

Despite Phil Foden’s two second-half goals giving the Blues a commanding lead, late strikes from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard saw City squander their advantage. The 2-2 draw leaves Guardiola’s side sitting in sixth place as they continue their push for a top-four finish.

Reflecting on the match, Guardiola pointed to missed opportunities in front of goal as the primary reason for the dropped points. He emphasized that better decision-making in crucial moments could have avoided the late setback.

“At 2-0, we didn’t manage the game well,” Guardiola admitted. “At 2-1, we handled it better, but sometimes these things happen. For example, [James] McAtee took a shot when perhaps an extra pass would have sealed the game. However, he had to try to score the third.”

Guardiola acknowledged Brentford’s quality and resilience, praising their performance. “They had chances as well; their strikers are very talented. Credit to them. Brentford is a tough opponent, both here and at our stadium. They play honestly and give everything.”

Despite creating numerous opportunities, City failed to secure the win. Guardiola highlighted the need for his team to control games more effectively, particularly when holding a lead. “At 0-2, you have to close the game. We don’t have specific players to defend the result in the box, so we need to do it by keeping possession.”

Fatigue also played a role in the closing stages, with the manager acknowledging the physical demands of the match. “Fatigue is normal. Against a team like Brentford, especially in the final 15 minutes, it’s expected. But I have no regrets. The players gave their all. We need to continue and focus on the next game.”

Guardiola also highlighted moments where better decision-making could have made a difference. “Savinho had a chance to pass to Erling [Haaland] in a one-on-one situation, and we missed opportunities to make the right decisions in the final third. Matheus [Nunes] in the first half, Erling, Savinho, and Phil all had moments where we could have done better.”

The result serves as a reminder for City to improve their finishing and game management as they look to climb the Premier League table. Guardiola remains optimistic, urging his team to learn from the experience and push forward in their campaign.

Arne Slot has expressed confidence in Diogo Jota’s ability to make a significant impact for Liverpool following his carefully managed return from an injury sustained in October. Jota found the back of the net shortly after being introduced during Liverpool’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday night.

The Portuguese forward’s eighth goal of the season salvaged a crucial point for the Premier League leaders after Chris Wood’s opener for Forest. Speaking about Jota’s performance, Slot highlighted the player’s growing momentum and suggested that consistent displays might soon earn him a regular spot in Liverpool’s starting lineup.

“He’s already made a big impact, even before this match, like when he came on against Fulham,” Slot noted. “But after that, he experienced a slight setback. The subsequent games required him to find his rhythm again.

“It’s common for players returning from weeks or months on the sidelines to struggle initially with the intensity of Premier League matches. However, it was pleasing to see him perform well today—perhaps even better than he did against Fulham. Apart from Mo Salah, he had the most opportunities to score our second goal.”

Slot also addressed the vibrant atmosphere at the City Ground, brushing off chants directed at him by Nottingham Forest fans. “Did they sing for me? I didn’t notice it that much! Maybe they appreciated our style of play,” he joked. “But seriously, the fans were incredible, fully supporting their team in what is clearly a great stadium to play in. It’s my first time here, and the atmosphere was purely positive.”

The Liverpool boss praised Nottingham Forest’s tactical setup and their ability to adapt their style of play to suit their strengths. “I wouldn’t say Forest’s approach is unique, but they’ve built a system that works exceptionally well for their players. That’s the mark of a good manager—designing a style that complements your squad.”

Slot highlighted the challenges Liverpool faced against Forest, particularly their reliance on long balls and strong forwards like Chris Wood. “Forest play the long ball effectively, with players who excel at winning the first ball and quick attackers who capitalize on second chances. Once they’re ahead, they can sit back in a low block, making it difficult for opponents to create chances.

“That’s why conceding first was so frustrating for us. It allowed them to execute their game plan even more effectively. Credit must also go to the Forest fans; they were instrumental in driving their team forward.”

Reflecting on Forest’s strong season, Slot dismissed any notion of their success being down to luck. “After 20 games, you get a clearer picture of the table. Forest aren’t here by accident. They’ve had tough fixtures, including playing us twice, and have proven they can compete at the top end of the league.

“Their consistency comes from having most of their key players available throughout the season. If they maintain this stability, I don’t see them dropping many points.”

Slot’s comments underscore his admiration for both Jota’s growing form and Forest’s impressive campaign, while also highlighting the resilience and tactical challenges present in Premier League football.