Not just Garnacho: Amorim was let down by Man Utd's 5/10 "tough watch"

Manchester United lost for the second time in as many Premier League games on Sunday afternoon against Tottenham Hotspur. The North Londoners ran out 1-0 winners over Ruben Amorim’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the Red Devils now falling to 15th in the table as a result.

It was an early goal which settled the clash, coming just moments after Alejandro Garnacho had a shot from range saved by the returning Guglielmo Vicario. It was James Maddison who scored, getting on the end of a rebound from a Lucas Bergvall shot, which Andre Onana could only parry into the path of the Spurs number ten.

Garnacho had another golden chance moments later but failed to hit the target from inside the 18-year box with no defender putting pressure on him. Mathys Tel, who joined Spurs in January ahead of United, also forced a save out of Onana.

The second half resembled a basketball game in many ways. The Red Devils had a few chances to equalise, with Garnacho squandering some big opportunities, and Joshua Zirkzee glancing a header just wide. However, they could not find a way past Vicario.

It was a really poor performance from United, with Garnacho one of the players who struggled.

Garnacho’s stats vs. Spurs

If things had gone differently in the January transfer window, United’s number 17 could have been playing for their opposition today. Spurs reportedly wanted to sign the winger in the winter window, according to Football Transfers.

However, it was the famous Red shirt of United that the Argentine donned, but he squandered some key chances for his side, and could not find the equaliser.

The best chance came when he blazed over the bar in the first half, but Garnacho also missed a one-on-one and a strike from outside of the box in the second 45.

The tough day at the office for the 20-year-old was showcased in his stats from Sofascore at full-time. Garnacho completed just 72% of his passes, missed one big chance and lost the ball 13 times. It was a disappointing performance.

He certainly has an issue in front of goal this season. As electric as the winger can be, Garnacho has a big chance conversion rate of 14%, the lowest out of players who have had at least ten in the top flight this term, as per Opta.

As bad as the winger was, someone who was arguably worse for the Red Devils was captain Bruno Fernandes.

Bruno Fernandes’ stats vs. Spurs

Normally one of the players who is always reliable for United, their captain Fernandes struggled against Spurs. He was constantly involved as always but did not look after the ball well, and although he created chances, didn’t give United that cutting edge like usual.

Football journalist Mina Ibrahim described Fernandes’ performance as a “tough watch”, which certainly rings true when looking at some of his stats. He had a 78% pass accuracy and lost the ball 28 times. It was a disappointing showing from the Red Devils skipper.

Fernandes stats vs. Spurs
Stat	Number
Touches	103
Pass accuracy	78%
Passes completed	54/69
Long balls completed	13/17
Number of times ball lost	28
Crosses completed	4/11
Stats from Sofascore

Richard Martin, a journalist from Goal, gave the Portugal international a 5/10 for his efforts at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He explained that, at times, ‘his high positioning left Casemiro with a lot to do’. There were occasions when the Brazilian got caught in two-vs-one situations without Fernandes next to him.

It was a really disappointing showing from Fernandes, who Amorim would have hoped for more from on Sunday afternoon. With his squad threadbare due to injuries and illness, the Red Devils manager had a bench full of academy players without first-team experience.

Perhaps a more influential performance from his captain would have gone a long way to helping United leave North London with at least a point.

It was certainly frustrating that Fernandes, and the likes of Garnacho, could not take the game by the scruff of the neck as United stumbled to another poor defeat.