Five dribbles, nine duels won… Man Utd ace fights for his Old Trafford career vs FCSB, he changed the game

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Manchester United are through to the Europa League round of 16 and one player is making an excellent argument that he should play a part.

The trip to Romania promised to be a tricky test of Ruben Amorim’s resurgent Red Devils.

Ultimately, it was a comfortable win for Manchester United in which the result never looked in doubt thanks to dominance in possession that pinned FCSB into their own half.

United beat the Romanian champions 2-0 on the night, with Kobbie Mainoo stealing all the headlines.

Amorim used Mainoo as a No.10 and the experiment paid off in an abundance with the 19-year-old scoring and assisting.

At the same time, Amorim called on Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo from the bench and of the two it was actually the Argentine who was the bigger success.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Alejandro Garnacho fighting to stay at Old Trafford

Garnacho was introduced at half-time, and United benefitted greatly from his introduction.

The 20-year-old was a constant threat every time he got the ball as his direct running gave FCSB more problems than the slow and toothless attacking play in the first-half.

The Romanian side could not handle him as he drew four fouls – the most of any player in the game – and Garnacho got his rewards with an assist.

• 45 minutes
• 1 assist
• 2 shots
• 16/19 passes completed
• 2 chances created
• 36 touches
• 5/7 dribbles
• 9/14 duels won

This performance could be interpreted as a direct message to Ineos that they simply cannot sell him, as his importance to this team grows weekly.

Garnacho wowed United fans with his performance, and it makes the prospect of selling look questionable as he continues to fight for his career at the club.

• READ MORE: Who is Alejandro Garnacho? Meet Man Utd’s dazzling Argentine

Manchester United need Garnacho

Before the game on Thursday, more reports shed clouds over Garnacho’s future.

It was claimed United were still set to talk with Chelsea over a possible deal that could see Josh Acheampong head in the other direction.

But this performance should kill those talks on the spot.

Garnacho’s performances since the new year have been elite and up there with Amad for importance – so he should be treated as such.

The United academy graduate has learned his role under Amorim and is flourishing, now the club need to prioritise keeping him this month.

With such radical developments in a few months under Amorim, the only way is up for Garnacho.