Manchester United has changed drastically just a year and a half after an iconic celebration ushered in a new era
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates with Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo after scoring for Manchester United
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates with Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo after scoring for Manchester United
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho, promptly followed by Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo captured the imaginations of Manchester United supporters when they posed on the advertising hoardings after the former scored against West Ham United.
The celebration was an imitation of Mohammed Kudus' celebration which he performed a couple of months prior against the Reds at the London Stadium. However, for United's fanbase, the image became iconic with the young trio who were said to be ushering in a new era at the Theatre of Dreams.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson's exit, United had lost their way when it came to trusting youth over experience. Ageing player signings had become the norm in a desperate attempt to move the club back onto its pedestal.
More often than not, the household names flopped and United were left in a bigger hole than they originally found themselves in. And yet, as this exciting young trio beamed for the cameras at Old Trafford, there was a renewed optimism that perhaps United were returning to a side built for the future.
Fast forward a year and a half and the manager who gave the trio their breaks at United has been gone for nearly 12 months, the goalscorer has left permanently, another is all but gone for good and the sole survivor requested his own departure last week. How things change...
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image
This iconic image is now tinged with sadness. Garnacho's exit from Old Trafford was on the walls from December but few could have predicted how far it capitulated in the final few months.
Hojlund looked like he could kick on after his debut season but a horror second year put paid to that. All that remains from the image is Mainoo and surely the alarm bells are starting to ring for him now.
Unlike his former teammates, Mainoo is a boyhood United fan and while he requested to leave OId Trafford towards the end of the window, he was only looking for a loan. Proof, if needed, that he still harbours hopes of making it at United.
But if he is to do that, something drastic needs to change somewhere. The new United being built by Ruben Amorim is not one for sentimentality.
Once a player is seen as not being the right fit anymore, they are out the door. Nobody could have envisaged Marcus Rashford leaving the club but even he is out now.
United were keen not to let Mainoo go last week, perhaps due to the lack of competition it would have left for Bruno Fernandes. However, it is almost certain that the midfield will be the next area to receive an overhaul and when it does, it is unclear if the Stockport-born star will have a place in this new reality.
If Mainoo was to look at that image during the international break, perhaps it would serve as a warning to him that he must either dig deep or face the consequences, like those he shared the hoarding with. Everyone of a United persuasion wants to see the 20-year-old succeed, even Amorim has admitted that, but that desire may not be enough to keep him around.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.