rewrite this title Man Utd sweating on Alejandro Garnacho fitness ahead of FA Cup clash

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim revealed that Alejandro Garnacho suffered “a knock” during the club’s midweek victory over Ipswich Town, putting his involvement in the FA Cup fifth round against Fulham this Sunday in doubt.

Garnacho has been in the spotlight this week for all the wrong reasons. The mercurial winger pointedly stomped straight down the tunnel after he was substituted on the cusp of half-time against Ipswich as part of a tactical rejig in the wake of Patrick Dorgu’s red card.

The 20-year-old was rapidly derided for what many considered to be a clear show of disrespect, yet Amorim later confirmed that Garnacho had simply returned to the dressing room to change out of his wet kit. Nevertheless, the Argentina international would have to pay for a team dinner as a light-hearted punishment for the public misunderstanding.

Aside from his preferred cuisine, Amorim was also asked about a potential fitness issue for Garnacho. “Yes, he has a knock, when he went to shoot was blocked inside the box,” the Portuguese head coach confirmed, before adding: “I expect for him to be ready but we will see.”

Amorim’s options all over the pitch have been hampered by injury in recent weeks.

Garnacho’s fellow forward Amad Diallo is out for the rest of the season with torn ankle ligaments while Lisandro Martinez won’t be back until the end of 2025 after damaging his ACL. Midfielders Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer are all likely to be sidelined for the visit from Fulham together with long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans.

Winter arrival Patrick Dorgu will also sit out this weekend’s cup tie following his red card against Ipswich.

United’s resolutely candid coach confirmed that “no-one different is back” from injury ahead of the Fulham clash while those sidelined are “trying to recover to help us in the next games”.

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