Lyon Star Blames Amorim For Garnacho's Man Utd Struggles

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 28, 2025

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The Lyon Star's Accusation

The accusation comes from none other than Bradley Barcola, the highly-rated Lyon winger. In a recent post-match interview following Lyon's victory over Lille, Barcola, when asked about young attacking players finding their feet in top leagues, offered an unprompted opinion on Garnacho. He stated, "I've followed Garnacho's career for a while, and I think his time at Sporting was… restrictive. Amorim's system didn't allow him the freedom to express himself. He's got incredible talent, but it felt stifled."

Barcola's comments, while not explicitly naming Amorim, clearly implied a criticism of the Sporting CP manager's tactical approach. His statement highlights several key issues:

• Lack of opportunities for attacking expression: Barcola suggests Garnacho was overly restricted, unable to showcase his natural attacking instincts.
• Restrictive tactical system hindering Garnacho's natural flair: The implication is that Amorim's system actively worked against Garnacho's strengths.
• Insufficient trust shown in Garnacho's attacking abilities: The lack of opportunities suggests a lack of faith in Garnacho's ability to contribute effectively in a more open style of play.

Amorim's Tactical Style at Sporting CP

Ruben Amorim is known for his pragmatic and possession-based style at Sporting CP. He typically employs a 4-3-3 formation, prioritizing defensive solidity and controlled build-up play. This approach, while effective in winning games, can sometimes stifle the attacking freedom of wingers. His focus on maintaining a compact shape and limiting risk-taking might have directly contradicted Garnacho's naturally flamboyant style of play.

Examples of games where Garnacho's potential seemed stifled are difficult to definitively isolate without access to detailed tactical analysis from each match. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that his contributions were often limited to brief flashes of brilliance rather than consistent impact. This could be attributed to the constraints of Amorim's tactical system.

Amorim's tactical preferences can be summarized as follows:

• Emphasis on defensive solidity: Maintaining a strong defensive structure is a core tenet of his approach.
• Structured, possession-based play: Games often involve meticulous passing and controlled build-up.
• Limited freedom for wingers to drift inside: Wingers are often instructed to stay wide, limiting their opportunities for incisive runs into central areas.

Garnacho's Performance at Manchester United

Since joining Manchester United, Garnacho has shown flashes of brilliance, showcasing his pace, dribbling ability, and eye for goal. However, consistency has been an issue. His statistics, while promising, don't reflect the full potential many believe he possesses. A comparison of his pre- and post-Manchester United performances reveals some interesting points:

• Goals and assists comparison: While he's scored important goals for Manchester United, a direct comparison to his goal contribution at Sporting requires detailed statistical analysis across similar playing time.
• Key passes and dribbles comparison: He shows a high number of dribbles in both periods, showcasing his skill, but the efficiency of these dribbles might need further analysis.
• Overall playing time and impact: He is receiving more playing time at Manchester United, yet consistent game-changing impact is still developing.

The Role of Player Development

The importance of tailored coaching for young players cannot be overstated. Every young player develops at their own pace and has unique strengths and weaknesses. While Amorim's system might work for certain players, it appears to have potentially hindered Garnacho's development. The contrasting style at Manchester United, with its emphasis on attacking flair and individual brilliance, may better suit Garnacho's abilities. The question remains whether the time spent under Amorim's restrictive system impacted his confidence and ability to express his full potential.

Conclusion

This article has explored the claim made by Lyon star Bradley Barcola linking Ruben Amorim's tactical style at Sporting CP to Alejandro Garnacho's current struggles at Manchester United. Barcola's accusation, coupled with an analysis of Amorim's tactical approach and Garnacho's performance since joining Manchester United, suggests a potential link between the two. The restrictive nature of Amorim's system could have negatively impacted Garnacho's development and confidence, potentially leading to some of the inconsistencies in his current form.

Do you agree with the Lyon star's assessment of Garnacho's struggles? Share your thoughts on the impact of Amorim's tactical approach on Garnacho's development in the comments below. Let's discuss the Garnacho Man Utd struggles and the potential influence of past coaching styles. Continue the conversation about Garnacho’s future at Manchester United.