Ruben Amorim animatedly directed Alejandro Garnacho early in the match, urging him to abandon the left wing and move centrally.

Garnacho, who often hugged the touchline under Erik ten Hag, now faces different tactical expectations. His future in the team remains uncertain, especially with Napoli expressing interest this month.

“He has talent,” Amorim said of the 20-year-old. “But he must learn to play in a new position and perform better centrally. He’s improving his positioning without the ball, but it sometimes takes him out of place for the transitions he excelled at before.”

Amorim added, “He’s adapting to this system and improving in training. I think it’s changing how he sees himself as a player.”

Alejandro Garnacho has been told he must adapt if he is to have a future at Man United

Ruben Amorim was seen barking instructions to him to stay inside on Thursday night

Garnacho missed a glorious chance in the first half, but showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated

So here was Garnacho trying. Trying to adapt. Constantly looking to his manager for guidance, then reassurance. Trying to stay central and trying to be the No 10 Amorim craves.

And how his eyes, and those of his manager, lit up when he found himself unmarked in the penalty area midway through the first half as Rasmus Hojlund cut the ball back to him.

Only Garnacho snatched at it and drilled wide. His manager turned away in disbelief with his hands glued to his head. ‘What the f***ing hell was that?’ the Southampton supporters taunted.

It was perhaps this kind of error that former United midfielder Paul Scholes had in mind before the game when he said: ‘United can probably get better than Garnacho.

‘Although he’s young, he’s scruffy in his technique at times and his decision-making at times is really poor.’

Garnacho continued to demand the ball and in the second half he put it on a plate for Antony to convert from two yards out, only for the Brazilian to miss.

United sources remained tight-lipped on Thursday night on Napoli’s interest on Garnacho amid talk of a renewed attempt to land him this month.

Paul Scholes labelled Garnacho ‘scruffy’ ahead of Thursday’s match

Garnacho had his moments against Southampton, though, and set up Antony for a huge chance, only for the Brazilian to somehow miss from two yards out

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (pictured) is set to join PSG from Napoli, and the Italian club could yet to step up their efforts to bring Garnacho in as a replacement

The Italians are set to sell their star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain and manager Antonio Conte wants Garnacho as the next jewel in the Naples crown.

In the era of profit and sustainability rules, and with a moody-looking Sir Jim Ratcliffe watching on here, Garnacho represents a player with both real value and ‘pure profit’ as an academy product.

If Napoli or another side meet United’s asking price, his time with Amorim would be shortlived.

But Amorim has urged Garnacho to accept the challenge of changing his game and the youngster took it head on against Southampton, even if old habits die hard.