Ruben Amorim exclusive: Manchester United ‘happy’ with ‘improving, talented’ Alejandro Garnacho amid transfer links

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Ruben Amorim admits avoiding a UEFA Europa League play-off would be a huge deal for Manchester United, because he is desperate to get some time on the training field with them. The Red Devils face FCSB in their final league phase match on Thursday. Alejandro Garnacho is part of the squad, despite being strongly linked with a move to Napoli. Amorim, though, is desperate for the 20-year-old to stay.

Amorim 'really happy to have Garnacho playing' against FCSB

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ruben Amorim insists Manchester United are working hard to strengthen their squad before the transfer window slams shut.

Clubs have until February 3 to bring in any new signings.

The Red Devils are yet to splash the cash this month, but it is reported that they are close to signing Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

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Any move could also depend on the future of Alejandro Garnacho.

The 20-year-old has only missed one match since Amorim arrived at Old Trafford in November.

He is being strongly linked with a move to Napoli and Chelsea, but the manager is keen for him to stay.

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"I'm happy to have Garnacho here," he told TNT Sports. "He's improving a lot. He's a young talented guy.

"You want to work with these guys with talent. That's what drives the coaches to improve the team; to have these kind of players that you know they are going to improve a lot.

"In football, especially when we are in these situations, sometimes it's hard, but I don't want to focus on that. I'm really happy to have Garnacho playing tomorrow."

In terms of incomings, nothing is off the table.

As well as Dorgu, Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel is also a reported target in the January transfer window.

Amorim admits they may not be able to get a deal over the line, but insists United are working hard to pull something off.

"What I can say is that the club wants to improve the team," He continued. "That is the most important thing.

"Everybody is doing things, everything, to improve the team. If we can do it or not; sometimes it doesn't depend just from the club or even the player.

"We are focused on improving the team, but also we are really focused on not doing mistakes that are going to be hard in the future to go back."

'So important' to avoid Europa League play-off

United are back in action on Thursday evening when they face FCSB in the UEFA Europa League, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

A win will guarantee a place in the last-16 for The Red Devils, therefore avoiding a two-legged play-off.

They do have a tidy two-point cushion down to ninth place, so even a draw might be enough.

But Amorim will not be taking any chances, as he is desperate to ensure his side's already congested schedule does not have a further two fixtures added to it.

"It's there on the board in our dressing room," he added. "We need to clean those two weeks.

"It's so important, not just the training, but even to prepare for the games of the Premier League. They are so demanding. We need to focus a lot on the way they move.

"Even the pace of the team. If you have two games in the week, it is so much different than three games in the week.

"If you want to repeat some players, the third game in the week, they feel it. We need everything to win tomorrow. It's really, really important for us tomorrow.

"I think we need training. Sometimes it's a little bit boring because I'm saying always the same thing.

"Even winning the games, I can see the performances, and sometimes there is a lack of threat, sometimes there is a lack of possession.

"Sometimes we have possession but you don't feel the speed of the team. When I say the speed, it is the connection between them.

"I think this team needs to slow down in terms of games and to have time to train, to think about the opponents, what's space should I use, this kind of thing. What this team needs is clearly training."

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Amorim arrived at Old Trafford in November after the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

It has taken him some time to turn United's form around, with a 3-1 defeat to Brighton earlier this month leading the boss to brand his side "maybe the worst team" in the club's history.

Since then, they have beaten Rangers 2-1 in the Europa League, before squeezing to a 1-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.

And Amorim thinks that winning feeling is already having an impact on the playing squad.

"It's so much different," he continued. "When you are changing so many things, you want to put some standards, you are not just changing the coach, some people in the staff.

"All those changes, when you don't have the feeling of winning, it is so much harder to work.

"After these two wins, we just have to continue to that feeling. Because we had a bad moment, we know we have to do everything to continue winning games."

Yoro promises there is 'more to come'

One player who is beginning to find his feet under Amorim is Leny Yoro.

It has not been a smooth ride for the defender, who broke his foot just two weeks after signing from Lille in the summer.

Yoro 'sure we can win the trophy' as Man Utd aim for Europa League glory

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However, he has been a regular in the team in recent weeks, with each of his 12 appearances for the club coming since early December.

The 19-year-old admits he is still getting over those early fitness struggles, but hopes he is starting to shake off the ring rust.

"Everything was good, except with the injury," he told TNT Sports of his move to England.

"I was really excited to play for Manchester United when I arrived, but the injury was here.

"I need to take the positive from this; to adapt to the town, to improve my English. Everybody was helping me in the club and now everything is good.

"I know there is more to come. Maybe I just start to be 100% of me."

Leny Yoro of Manchester United

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At 19, Yoro is still in the infancy of his career.

This is just his second season of continental football, with his only previous experience coming in the UEFA Conference League in 2023/24.

However, he is already confidently predicting that United can challenge for European honours this season.

The Red Devils last won the Europa League in 2016/17, while they were runners-up four years later.

But Yoro thinks they can go all the way this time round, as he added: "For us it's really important: we have this aim to win this trophy. It's important for us.

"We need to win every game. It will be a big step for us.

"Can we win the trophy? Of course. We have a really good team. If we play every game like it's a final, I'm sure we can win the trophy."

All 18 UEFA Europa League matches are available to watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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