Bruno Fernandes reveals Alejandro Garnacho’s early season struggles were owing to attitude issues

Bruno Fernandes revealed that Alejandro Garnacho’s early season struggles were in part due to his poor attitude on Manchester United’s pre-season tour. 

The Argentine backed up his strong showing against Sheriff Tiraspol last week with another impressive performance, marking it with his first goal for the club. 

Despite his strong showing, and United extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games, Erik ten Hag’s side could not grab the second goal they needed to avoid the competition’s play-off round with those who have dropped down from the Champions League. 

Speaking after the game, Fernandes expressed disappointment at not having carried out their objectives but praised Garnacho who he said was finally applying himself in the correct manner. 

‘He was good, he knows we expect a lot from him,’ Fernandes said. ‘He is still really young, he’s doing really well.’

‘He wasn’t at his best at the beginning of the season, on the [pre-season] tour he didn’t display the attitude he should have, but now he’s training better and getting his chances. He’s deserving of those chances.’

The Argentine teenage sensation was part of Manchester United’s squad for their extensive tour to the Far East and Australia

Paul Scholes, on punditry duty for BT Sport, speculated after the game that those attitude problems could have stemmed from the young Argentine getting ‘too big for his boots’ after being called up to the national squad.   

‘He said that was pre-season, didn’t he, so he was obviously a little bit big for his boots in the summer. I think he went away with Argentina, maybe playing with [Lionel] Messi, he came back and thought this is me, I’m part of this team.

‘He’s a young lad, he’s going to learn. His attitude has changed and we’re seeing the benefits of that, now he looks a really top class young player.’

Garnacho scored his first goal for United as they won 1-0 in San Sebastian – a result not good enough to secure them first place

Meanwhile, Fernandes said that there were a few positives to take from San Sebastian but that they were disappointed not to finish ahead of Real Sociedad.,

‘Obviously our goal today was to win by two goals, we knew that we needed that. We played a great game, we tried everything. 

‘At the end we took a few more risks, to score the second goal but we won the game. It’s a great win against a tough opponent – as I said, it’s not brought us to the top of the group, which was our goal before the game, but it’s always a win.’

Fernandes was deployed on the right-hand side by manager Erik ten Hag in a tactical move questioned by Scholes and was reticent to admit that it is a position within which he is comfortable. 

‘I play wherever the coach needs me to play. I try the best to help the team, it’s not my position,’ he said. 

United will be drawn against one of Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus, Ajax, Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting Lisbon, Red Bull Salzburg or Shakhtar Donetsk in Monday’s draw.