Why Amad is starting ahead of Alejandro Garnacho for Manchester United this season

Amad is starting games for Manchester United ahead of Alejandro Garnacho because of the progress he has made and the intelligence he is offering to the team.

The winger returned to the starting XI ahead of Garnacho for United's trip to Southampton and although the Argentine came off the bench to score the third in the 3-0 win, it was Amad who shone throughout the game.

That was a fourth start of the season for the 22-year-old and he was a constant threat to the Saints defence, combining well in attack and looking dangerous when he ran with the ball.

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Garnacho's only start has come in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, while Marcus Rashford has started all five games this season on the left of United's front three, and after the win at St Mary's Ten Hag revealed why he had been making the selection decisions he has done in wide areas.

"Amad starts the most games this season [ahead of Garnacho] so far because he is progressing very well and he gives a lot to the team," he said. "Intelligence, he showed this in and out of possession. He has attributes that are very pleasing for a manager."

Amad wasn't the only impressive performer on the south coast, with Matthijs de Ligt recovering from a disappointing international break to turn in an assured defensive performance while also scoring the first goal of the game.

"Very pleased, very happy for him, I know he has very good attributes as a leader, but he is also a very good finisher from set plays, that is one of the reasons we bought him," said Ten Hag.