At Wembley, Alejandro Garnacho found himself on Manchester United’s bench for the first time since October. However, next week he will be missing from the squad for their match against Fulham. This absence comes as a coincidence, given that Erik ten Hag had previously listed Garnacho as a substitute during the last encounter against City. Remarkably, 11 weeks after their FA Cup final clash, Garnacho reaffirmed his effectiveness on the field.
Garnacho’s return to action was reminiscent of where he left off from the previous season. As the opening goal scorer at Wembley, Garnacho’s performance underscored Ten Hag’s extensive array of attacking options, even in the absence of a traditional striker. It is anticipated that Garnacho will be reinstated to the starting line-up for the upcoming fixture against Fulham on Friday.
In a dramatic twist, Garnacho’s goal in this derby was as significant as his previous strikes. Despite receiving the ball on the right wing—often considered his less dominant side—his individual effort stood out. This position, which was seemingly weaker for him, did not hinder his performance; in fact, it accentuated his impressive display, especially in light of his previous success in capitalizing on City’s errors.
During the match, Manchester United maintained their trend of scoring late goals. Bernardo Silva managed to level the score for City in the 89th minute, catching Facundo Pellistri off guard. The game ultimately proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Garnacho showcased his composure by converting his penalty successfully.
The squad that took to the field for Manchester United was notably smaller compared to their last derby at Wembley. Summer acquisition Joshua Zirkzee remained an unused substitute, and players such as Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford, who had shown promise during the American tour, were less impactful in this game. Mount, operating as a No. 10, and Bruno Fernandes, playing as a false nine, reminded Ten Hag of their playmaking capabilities. Rashford, however, missed two critical opportunities, one of which came from a cross delivered by Garnacho.
Amad Diallo, who initially struggled to find his rhythm, eventually contributed with some intelligent play, including a notable one-two with Casemiro. Nevertheless, his hesitance when it came to making decisive plays resulted in missed chances.
Casemiro, who had established himself as an attacking threat in his first season despite his defensive role, created several opportunities for his teammates, including Rashford and Amad. Young Harry Amass, only 17 and without any previous career appearances, was expected to start but ended up observing from the stands.
The match concluded on a somber note for United, exacerbated by defensive injuries that left them without any defenders available on the bench. Facundo Pellistri, who had been loaned out to Granada in January and had just returned to Carrington, was unexpectedly called upon to play as a right-back. His performance in containing Bernardo Silva was challenging.
In summary, the game was a blend of promising moments and missed chances for Manchester United. While Garnacho continued to demonstrate his value, other players like Rashford and Amad Diallo faced difficulties in converting their opportunities, leaving the team with a mix of optimism and frustration.