MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 7: Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Old Trafford on December 7, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho has been at the centre of several incidents in his time with United
Alejandro Garnacho's Manchester United career has been punctuated by breathtaking moments of brilliance as well as several controversial incidents.
The mercurial Argentinian has seen his budding career at United dominated by episodes that seem to heavily contrast with his stature as one of the club's brightest talents. Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were surprise omissions from United's squad for the Manchester derby on Sunday in what was another headline grabbing moment in a long-line of them for the 20-year-old.
While United went on to beat City 2-1 following a dramatic late comeback, column inches were instead dictated by the players not even in the squad. The City game marked the first Premier League match this season that Garnacho had not been involved in, yet United head coach Ruben Amorim claimed "it was not a disciplinary thing" and it was simple as those left out "fighting for their places".
In what could be argued as summing up Garnacho's time in the first-team set-up at United, the winger claimed the prestigious Puskas award for his stunning overhead kick against Everton last season shortly after his exclusion from the derby day squad – highlighting the contrasting moments he's experienced. With Garnacho now facing a battle to reclaim his place under Amorim, Mirror Football takes a look at the starlet's checkered history at Old Trafford.
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Response to being dropped
While Garnacho was unceremoniously dropped by Amorim for the win over City, his new boss has since claimed that the Argentinian has responded in a strong manner. Although he added that Garnacho did not initially take the news of his omission well.
“Really good. Trained really well," Amorim said to club media. "He seems a little bit upset with me and that is perfect. I was really, really happy because I would do the same and he is ready for this game. So we'll see in the end of this training.”
Garnacho won the Puskas award for his wonder strike against Everton in November 2023 (
Image:
Getty Images)
Team leak accusations
One of the most recent controversies surrounding Garnacho relates to an ongoing incident where United's team sheets are being leaked ahead of their games. The Red Devils starting line-up for their win over City was prematurely revealed with the news that Garnacho would miss out.
There had been speculation that Garnacho and his brother Roberto had been behind the leaks, but United have since branded the claims as "rubbish". The club actually believes the leaks are coming from a 'network of people with varying motivations and incentives'.
Argument with United fan
Following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s last game in charge at United before Amorim took charge, a 3-0 win over Leicester City in which Garnacho scored one of his eight goals this season, he caused a mild stir by not celebrating the strike. According to The Telegraph, he refused to commemorate the goal as he believes fans have lost faith in him this season.
This was perhaps compounded when a fan accosted him ahead of a Europa League clash with PAOK earlier this season. "Garnacho, you got to pass better today, please," the United fan said.
"Pass better score a goal and work on your first touch, yeah?" The 20-year-old then hit back succinctly saying: "Why are you not playing bro?"
Fernanded has spoken on Alejandro Garnacho's attitude and application to his game in the past (
Image:
Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes' opinion on him
United captain Fernandes has given his point of view on his talented but controversial team-mate. Speaking in November 2022 after a Europa League game against Real Sociedad, the attacking midfielder told BT Sport that Garnacho was aware of the standards expected of him at the Red Devils, but also referenced an incident where the young player was dropped on the club's summer tour in 2022 after he turned up late for several team meetings.
"He was good, but he knows that we expect a lot from him," Fernandes said at the time. "Obviously he's still really young, he's doing really well. He was not at his best at the beginning of the season.
"On the tour he didn't have the best attitude that he should have had, and that's why he didn't get his chances until now. He's getting his chances because he's training better, having a different attitude and deserving his chances."
Speaking to MUFC TV, Fernandes later doubled down on the comments, noting that Garnacho had failed to make an impression in the club's training sessions. The Portugal star said: "He didn't get his chances before because he was not good enough in training and not good enough mentality-wise. He's changed that, that's why he's getting chances. Everyone is really happy for him."
As recently as last month, Fernandes commented on Garnacho after the winger's muted celebration for his screamer against Leicester, following criticism that had been aimed in the young star's direction this term. But Fernandes defended him, saying: "Garnacho scored a banger but didn't celebrate like he should because he thinks he has lost faith from some fans. I told him people will always moan, but lots of people like you and enjoy what you do.
"I told him to celebrate, it was something special. He is a special player, we have difference-makers. They are the ones who win us games."
An apology to Ten Hag
Garnacho aimed an apology at former United manager Erik ten Hag after he liked social media posts critical of his substitution against Bournemouth last season. The winger was removed at half-time during the 2-2 draw in April.
The social media posts criticised Ten Hag's handling of Garnacho, with one of the posts Garnacho liked, saying the youngster "had a poor first half, but taking him off at half-time and holding him up as the problem is a joke". The United star then unliked the posts.
"Alejandro is a young player, he has to learn a lot," Ten Hag said at the time. "He apologised for it and after that we move on."
Garnacho apologised to Ten Hag ( Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Altercation with Casemiro
While Garnacho may have a light grievance with the United faithful, their anger could be justified in some quarters thanks to several lacklustre displays from the player this season. Most notably was an incident where United midfielder Casemiro was seen furiously berating his young team-mate after failing to track back during their draw with Chelsea in November.
In one instance, Garnacho carelessly surrendered possession which prompted Casemiro to make a drastic challenge to break up a counter-attack. The Argentinian star picked up the ball on the edge of the area but failed to beat Chelsea midfielder Caicedo, turning away from goal and ignoring pleas for a pass from several team-mates, as he was then dispossessed by Pedro Neto, who quickly set Chelsea off on a counter-attack.
Infuriated by his team-mate's lackadaisical disposition, the veteran Brazilian then confronted Garnacho and began shouting at him. A video of the incident then quickly went viral on social media, leading United icon Gary Neville to single out Garnacho for his "disappointing" work rate.
Lionel Messi incident
A strange story once centred around Lionel Messi unfollowing Garnacho on Instagram because of the 19-year-old's admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo. The truth, however, is actually far less dramatic.
Messi never followed Garnacho in the first place, and the pair are believed to share a good relationship when joining up for Argentina duty. The odd tale stemmed from Garnacho carrying out Ronaldo's famous ‘SIUUU’ celebration.
Speaking after the celebration, on his YouTube show Vibe with Five, Rio Ferdinand said. “Do you know what I love about him? He don’t give a f***. My lad said to me that Messi’s unfollowed him. Because he comes out, ‘I’m a Ronaldo man. Who’s the GOAT? Ronaldo’. When he’s in the Argentina squad.”
Garnacho spoke in glowing terms about Lionel Messi after the Copa America (
Image:
Hector Vivas/Getty Images) Don't Miss
However, according to The Athletic, Garnacho never said this and Ferdinand would later clarify he was imagining Garnacho making such a grand proclamation. Ferdinand added, speaking as Garnacho: "'I love Messi but Ronaldo’s my GOAT’. So he ain’t been in the squad since for Argentina. No, I’m joking!"
Stories then appeared which incorrectly reported Ferdinand as saying: "Garnacho told me that Messi unfollowed him just because he makes no secret of preferring Ronaldo." This was categorically untrue also, yet prominent news accounts in Argentina picked up the story as concern grew that the wild claims could be taken as fact and affect the player.
Garnacho is in a unique position of having shared dressing rooms with both Ronaldo and Messi. It's been reported that Messi has been very welcoming of Garnacho when the duo have played together for their national side.
Messi even celebrated with Garnacho after the 36-year-old scored his free kick against Ecuador in September. Garnacho then posted a picture of the celebration online, calling Messi "The King", followed by a goat emoji.
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