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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Manchester United fans replace Cristiano Ronaldo with Alejandro Garnacho in iconic chant

Manchester United's supporters were heard singing about youngster Alejandro Garnacho to the tune of 'Viva Ronaldo' during the second half of Tuesday night's 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both scored in the first half and substitute Fred struck late on to fire United to a fourth successive win in all competitions, lifting them to within one point of the Premier League's coveted top-four places in the process. They are also now just three points behind cross-city rivals Manchester City.

It was a thoroughly professional and mostly dominant performance from Erik ten Hag's side, meaning they will head into their concluding fixture of 2022 against Wolves on New Year's Eve with a spring in their step. Such was the pattern and nature of the game, Ten Hag was confident enough to make a flurry of changes in the second half, including the decision to bring on Garnacho.

READ MORE: United player ratings vs Forest as Casemiro shines

The youngster, who scored the Reds' winner in their last Premier League outing prior to the World Cup break against Fulham, stepped off the bench to replace Martial with 65 minutes on the clock. The youngster took up residency on the left wing, meaning Rashford moved inside to spearhead the attack.

The Argentine saw plenty of the ball in his cameo role, frequently trying to make things happen down the left flank. He ran at Forest's defence with purpose, as he looked to try and create a third United goal.

His efforts were most certainly recognised by United's supporters, particularly those housed in the Stretford End behind the goal the Reds were attacking in the second half, so much so that they started to sing 'Viva Garnacho' to the tune that they used to sing to about recently departed forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal international left United last month.

Garnacho, who has never made any secret of his admiration for Ronaldo, is considered the most exciting youngster emerging at Old Trafford. He has been given a route to the first team by Ten Hag this season and is now a regular fixture in the first-team squad.

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