4 months ago
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MANCHESTER UNITED fans are hoping Cristiano Ronaldo comes back to Old Trafford soon.
Alejandro Garnacho, 20, has already put in a strong contender for miss of the season as he scuffed wide with the goal gaping against Fulham.
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PAHOW has Alejandro Garnacho not scored this?! 
pic.twitter.com/nBtjt4eSgS
And supporters think it is because he has been away from his idol Ronaldo, 39, for too long.
Cottagers defender Calvin Bassey completely missed the ball to send Marcus Rashford through on goal.
Fulham keeper Bernd Leno closed down the angle and Rashford played a poor ball to Garnacho, who still should have made it 2-0.
Viewers raced to social media to have their say.
One said: “Garnacho been away from Ronaldo for so long he’s lost his skill ffs.”
Another added: “The Bassey clearance, the Rashford pass, the Garnacho finish. Maybe the worst sequence of play this sport has ever witnessed.”
A third posted: “How do you miss this? No wonder he is a bench player.”
A fourth ventured: “horrible pass by rashford.”
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A fifth ensured Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez caught some strays by writing: “He has become Nunez.”
Garnacho took his love of Ronaldo to new levels in January after being spotted wearing a pair of CR7-branded boxers during an FA Cup game.
In December last year it was revealed by his Argentinian team-mate Leandro Paredes that he has been teased for his love of the superstar so much in the Argentina dressing room that it’s made him “too shy to talk.”
Roma star Paderes said: “We joked about it with him. He is very shy and does not answer.
“Poor guy, we drove him crazy. We also talked to him about what the group is, somehow we try to make them feel part of it and feel comfortable.
“Although in this case he got very nervous and couldn’t talk. But as he said, I think he is his idol, he always followed him a lot and he plays quite similar.
“So it’s normal, nothing happens. Obviously, when he comes to the national team he has to change a little bit.”
Garnacho is so keen to emulate Ronaldo that he even copied the Portuguese superstar’s iconic ‘Siu’ celebration.
Man Utd ratings vs Fulham as new boys shine... but Mount and Amad struggle
DEBUTANT Joshua Zirkzee was the hero for Manchester United in an evening where their new guns showed what they are all about.
The Dutchman had to remain patient for his opportunity but he took it brilliantly once he came on the pitch.
Zirkzee came on for Mason Mount on the hour mark and had been quiet up until his pivotal moment.
Ten Hag will take positives from the display and it was his astute sub which led to the winner as his side got their season off to a flyer.
Here is how SunSport’s Phil Thomas rated the Red Devils display…
Andre Onana – 6
Made an outstanding early tip over from Kenny Tete and was rarely seriously troubled beyond that.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7
A pretty impressive debut from the Moroccan. Looks assured on the ball, gets forward in support and can put a foot in.
Harry Maguire – 7
Dominant and commanding in defence, but embarrassingly booked for diving at the other end. Really Harry, even you?
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Skinned by Adama Traore early. Showed all his defensive guile in how he handled him after that, and got back superbly to deny a breakaway goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Had his hands full dealing with Traore’s pace, but knocked in a couple of wicked curling crosses at the other end.
Casemiro – 7
Headed over then shot over, but two great passes put Fernandes clean through. Often looked United’s most likely source of a goal.
Kobbie Mainoo – 8
So crisp, so tidy, so rarely wastes a pass. Another near-flawless, if not exactly flair-packed, display from the youngster. Fizzed a shot just wide, too.
Mason Mount – 5
So desperate to do well, which earned him an early booking. Only Leno’s legs denied him the goal his effort deserved.
Amad Diallo – 5
Made one marvellous mazy run into the box, although the tumble to ground that followed wasn’t so impressive.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Still nowhere near the star of two years ago, but another step in the right direction at least. Some way to get yet, though.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Fluffed two great chances, driving at keeper Leno’s legs twice when Casemiro put him through, but sprayed passes around and started the move for the winner.
Subs
Alejandro Garnacho (for Diallo, 60mins) – 6
Put a spark in United when he came off the bench and teed up the winner.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Mount, 60 mins) – 7
The debut he dreamed of. Barely had a touch, but then fed the ball wide and stuck out his left foot to jab the winner.
Matthijs de Ligt – (for Mazraoui, 81 mins) – 5
Was only on for the last ten minutes and looked solid although he did not have too much to do
Jonny Evans (for Maguire, 81 mins) – 5
Scott McTominay (for Mainoo, 84 mins) – 5
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