Manchester United ensured that the spectre of their season didn’t influence the last game of the league, as the team, without Alejandro Garnacho, dominated Aston Villa.
Ruben Amorim fielded a strong team vs Aston Villa but there were some curious selection choices too.
The need to give a “farewell” to departing players like Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, and Jonny Evans was obvious but Alejandro Garnacho received no such honour.
With United already fumbling the first part of Garnacho’s departure, this was damage management by Amorim to keep tight-lipped on his future.
The player, however, was in no mood to hide his true feelings through what he did on the pitch after the game.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho after Man Utd’s win vs Aston Villa
Amorim maintained a clear stance both, before and after the game that Garnacho remains a Man Utd player until anything changes.
He even said that the player is likely to travel with the team for the post-season tour to Hong Kong and Malaysia, quite a commitment for a potential departure.
Garnacho was left out of the matchday squad altogether after reportedly being told to leave the club in the wake of his iffy comments after the UEL final.
More United News
It was notable to see the Argentine on the Old Trafford pitch after the game and what he did then hinted at his future, something which Amorim refused to confirm.
As per BBC’s Simon Stone, Garnacho stood in front of the Stretford End for a long time, walking around the pitch for a while and being the last to leave it.
That is clearly the sign of a player who wants to soak in his last moments on the iconic pitch where he turned from an exciting academy prospect to one of the world football’s highly-rated talents.
Alejandro Garnacho transfer will make or break Man Utd
Now that it seems pretty clear which way Garnacho’s future lies, the need of the hour is to make the most of this opportunity.
Garnacho’s sale will be pure profit for Man Utd and in a season where they will have no European football, that money is priceless.
Extracting good money for him from a potential buyer or getting plundered will be the difference between signing three players in the summer or six, even seven.
Amorim will work with a smaller squad next season, so the focus will be on quality over quantity, and United will be losing a lot of it with Garnacho.
His transfer, the money they receive for him, and the player they get as a replacement are all factors that will make or break Man Utd’s season.