A Manchester United star has insisted that he is showing his importance to Ruben Amorim ahead of the Europa League clash against Athletic Club on Thursday.
La Liga outfit Athletic Club will travel from Spain to England to face Manchester United in their crucial second-leg Europa League semi-final match at Old Trafford.
United hold the advantage over Athletic Club after the Red Devils secured a stunning result in the first-leg Europa League semi-final tie in Spain last Thursday.
Athletic Club were reduced to 10 men against United at the San Mames Stadium and Ruben Amorim’s side picked up an important 3-0 win over the Spanish side in Bilbao.
United are now within touching distance of punching their ticket to the 2025 Europa League final on 21st May at Athletic Club’s home venue of the San Mames Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho sends a message to Ruben Amorim ahead of Man Utd hosting Athletic Club at Old Trafford in the Europa League
Alejandro Garnacho has remained a key Manchester United first-team player under Ruben Amorim and the Red Devils winger has had a steady season at Old Trafford.
The 20-year-old Spain-born attacker has netted 11 times and registered 10 assists in 54 matches across all competitions for United in the current campaign.
Speaking at United’s pre-match press conference, Alejandro Garnacho insisted that the objective in his “mind” is to work hard and show Amorim that he wants to play.
“We have to work hard to be in the squad,” he said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“I just have to train well every day and I will be available for the games.”
Garnacho added: “I think it is not easy in the middle of the season when you change the manager and all the staff.
“In my mind, I just try to work hard every day and show the manager that I want to play.”
Ruben Amorim’s position on how Man Utd will approach Europa League match vs Athletic Club at Old Trafford
The Europa League is United’s only real shot of securing European football for the 2025-26 season and climbing back into the Champions League.
The tournament would also allow Amorim to sign off the Red Devils’ woeful 2024-25 season with his first piece of major silverware as United manager.
Amorim insisted that United are not downplaying the threat that Athletic Club could post in the second-leg semi-final tie, despite United’s 3-0 aggregate scoreline.
“The idea of Athletic will not change, but the characteristics of the players will change, and that is important for us to know,” he said at Wednesday’s press conference.
“It is going to be a strong team with a strong identity.”
United and Athletic Club’s Europa League showdown is slated for an 8pm kick-off time in the UK at Old Trafford.
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