Manchester United’s FA Cup win over Leicester City saw Alejandro Garnacho shine off the bench, but Roy Keane remains unconvinced about starting the young winger. United stumbled through a dismal first half, with Bobby De Cordova-Reid giving Leicester the lead in their fourth-round clash.
Patrick Dorgu, who joined from Lecce for £25 million in January, was substituted at halftime, making way for Garnacho. The Argentine immediately energized the team, relentlessly driving down the left flank.
His cross in the 68th minute found its way to Joshua Zirkzee, who slotted it in to equalize. United clinched the win deep into injury time when Harry Maguire headed home, though there were questions about offside.
Garnacho has worked his way back into Ruben Amorim’s plans after being sidelined against Manchester City in December.
He stayed put in January despite interest from Chelsea and Napoli. In the ITV studio, Ian Wright expressed surprise that Garnacho didn’t start, noting his consistent impact off the bench.
“I’m very surprised Garnacho didn’t start,” Wright said. “He did the same against Liverpool. He comes on, and you can’t deal with him. He brings pace and attacks.”
However, Roy Keane feels Garnacho is better suited for impact off the bench. “I think it suits him to come off the bench.
I don’t think you can trust him when he starts,” Keane said. “But when he comes off the bench and the game is open, that’s when he thrives. He put Leicester on the backfoot. The first half was all sideways passes. He came on and challenged them.”