The two reasons why Alejandro Garnacho didn't start for Manchester United against Fulham
Man Utd made one change to their starting line up for the Premier League clash against Fulham on Friday night.
Erik ten Hag says there were two reasons why Alejandro Garnacho did not start for Manchester United in their Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday night.
United only made one change from the side that lost to Man City on penalties in the Community Shield a week earlier, with Noussair Mazraoui coming into the line up for Jonny Evans.
It meant Garnacho started on the bench, with Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford chosen to start in attack, while both Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount started in attacking midfield roles.
The Argentine winger had impressed in the Wembley encounter but was less effective from the bench last night and spurned an excellent opportunity to score in the dying seconds of the match.
Garnacho will be looking to make amends when United face Brighton next weekend, but Ten Hag says he will only start the game when he is up to full fitness and if he can prove himself ahead of other talented wide players in the squad.
"So I explained about Zirkzee and also Alejandro, last game was FA Cup final but then Copa America but he only played one game," Ten Hag told reporters after the Fulham win. "He needed a break but after a long season he needed a break so he came late into pre-season and then we have some players in the wide areas who perform very well so that is why he started from the bench. He will have his minutes, his starts. That will come in the coming weeks."
Another notable piece of team news saw Jadon Sancho miss out altogether after he suffered an ear infection earlier in the week and was not deemed fully match fit. Ten Hag reiterated it would be survival of the fittest in another bumper season and insisted Sancho would still get his chances in the months ahead.
He added: "First of all we need squad depth, There will be a season survival of the fittest but I can only put 20 players in the squad and Jadon in the week had an ear infection. He was not 100 percent fit. He could play but I make choices and prefer other players on the bench but that can change and will change this season. You see how important subs are. Sometimes it is frustrating for the player but it is about the team, the club. There will be more players in this position, We have so many games to play."