Ruben Amorim still has to solve biggest Alejandro Garnacho problem at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has showcased two sides to his man-management style already - love and tough love.
The recently-appointed Manchester United head coach, who replaced Erik ten Hag at the helm last month, raised eyebrows when he dropped Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford for his first Manchester derby. After his side went 1-0 down, you could hear the storm brewing.
However, a sensational comeback inspired by Amad - a man who has clearly and rightfully leapfrogged Garnacho and Rashford in the pecking order - justified the pre-match call. Amorim, who was summoned to Old Trafford from Sporting CP, has already proven himself to be a risk-taker.
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Ultimately, though, all successful managers - great or good - are and the Portuguese has laid down his hand while playing quite contrasting cards. The 'treatment' towards Garnacho and Rashford is, for example, the polar opposite to how Mason Mount has been handled with kid gloves.
"He [Garnacho] seems a little bit upset with me and that's perfect," admitted Amorim when pressed on the former Atletico Madrid starlet during his pre-match press conference for Thursday night's Carabao Cup last-eight meeting with Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham. "I was really, really happy because I would do the same.
"He's ready for this game." Ready, Garnacho might be, but a glaring problem lingers.
"Mason Mount... I have to tell you I love that kid," Amorim said to club media before his first match in charge.
"You can look [see] in his eyes that he wants this so bad. I know he was suffering from injuries, he was not on the pitch, but now he's trying to