Alejandro Garnacho caused controversy after posing in an Aston Villa and former Manchester United star Louis Saha has claimed Roy Keane would have crunched him in training in response
Alejandro Garnacho poses
Alejandro Garnacho wore an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford's name on holiday
(Image: Garnacho7/Instagram)
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane would have taken Alejandro Garnacho out on the training pitch for his latest show of petulance. Garnacho, who has fallen out of favour at United, posted on social media a picture of him wearing an Aston Villa top with Marcus Rashford's name and number on the back.
Rashford spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa after falling out with boss Ruben Amorim, and Garnacho's provocative stunt was seen as him taunting the United boss after he, too, suffered the same fate as the England forward.
Garnacho was dropped for United's 1-0 Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao, prompting the winger – who turned 21 yesterday – to publicly criticise Amorim over the decision and reveal he was considering his future.
That in turn convinced Amorim that Garnacho has no place in his future plans, with the club actively looking to sell the £50million-rated Argentina international this summer.
Former United striker Louis Saha said ex-skipper Keane would have dealt with Garnacho in the most brutal way possible – by subjecting him to a series of fierce tackles on the training pitch to show him he was out of line.
“Back in my day, I think Roy would have welcomed Garnacho back to the training ground with a few crunching tackles to help him understand what he thought of him,” said Saha. “I can’t say for sure, but I really doubt Keane will agree with what Garnacho did.
“It’s the type of things we see from new generations. To be honest, I can’t only blame Garnacho. The way the squad has been built, it’s why Garnacho thinks he has the right to do something like this.
“It's why he thinks he can make stupid comments and say things on social media. He thinks he’s going to get something out of it and, right now, United are the club who are giving him the platform to act this way.
“He already thinks he’s a top player, already makes demands, acts without respect. It’s a shame, but there are other factors than just the player. The club and the squad, they’ve already lost the leaders. The bad influences have already taken over. They think they’re bigger and better than they are.
“Keane, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, Gary Neville, they would all make sure you understand what wasn’t allowed. They wouldn’t give players the luxury to act like this. He’s been let down because he’s been given too much responsibility for a player who hasn’t earned it yet.
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane
Garnacho has been warned that Roy Keane would have crunched him in training over the gesture
“It’s fine if you’re playing like Wayne Rooney. If you score 20 or 30 goals a season, do what you want, demand what you want. Garnacho has five goals and he’s carrying on like this. It’s crazy.”
Asked if a potential swap deal involving Garnacho and Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku would be a good move, Saha said: “Everyone can benefit from the move. It’s a win-win. United want players who are dedicated, work hard, are eager to play and who have talent.
“We want players who want to play well, and there’s extra motivation in the year of a World Cup. I think Nkunku knows if he plays well, he can get back in the French squad for the summer. At the same time, he’s not the kind of player who disrupts the dressing room.
“As for Garnacho, if he wants to go, get rid of him. I used to be a huge fan, but that’s over. Anyone like this, if they want to go, go. Even if you lose money, it doesn’t matter, because you can bring in a player who can behave as they should.”
Louis Saha was speaking to Coin Poker. The full interview can be found here.
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