'I’m not focused on the numbers' - Garnacho plays down Ronaldo comparisons

The Manchester United player Alejandro Garnacho said that the English team will face the second leg of the Europa League semifinals against Athletic Club de Bilbao as if the first leg had been a goalless draw.

The Red Devils won the first leg 3-0 and will be able to hold their nerve at home against an Athletic Club without brothers Inaki and Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet.

“We know that we are not doing a great job in the Premier League, but the coach has said that we have done what we had to do and that tomorrow is a final that we will face as if it were 0-0,” Garnacho told a press conference on Wednesday.

“If we win the Europa League, we will be in the Champions League next year and we can face the season in a different way and with a better mentality,” he asserted.

The Argentina international, who has regained the confidence of Ruben Amorim after being close to leaving the club in the winter, said he is improving “day by day”, as is the team, but admitted that it is difficult for everyone to adjust to mid-season coaching changes, as happened to United when they sacked Erik Ten Hag.

“It's never easy when you change coach and coaching staff in the middle of the season. I try to focus on working very hard every day and showing the coach that I want to play,” he added.

With his goal against Brentford at the weekend, Garnacho has 24 G/A, before his 21st birthday, so if he adds one more he will equal the record of his idol, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I'm not focused on the numbers. I think when Cristiano played here… [they were] a different type of games. I just try to help the team and try to win games,” acknowledged the Madrid-born striker.