Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain ahead of the summer transfer window.
This comes after the 20-year-old was dropped from the Europa League final starting lineup and came on as a late substitute in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham.
After the game, he expressed his frustration in public, questioning the manager’s decision to start him on the bench.
The Argentine international was then omitted from the squad for United’s final Premier League game, after reports emerged that Ruben Amorim told Garnacho to look for a new club in front of his teammates on Saturday.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Peter Crouch has now weighed in on the discussion, stating that Garnacho crossed the line with his comments.
Peter Crouch says Man United attacker Alejandro Garnacho needs to be gone
Former Premier League striker turned pundit Peter Crouch believes Garnacho crossed a line by publicly questioning his manager, forcing Amorim’s hand.
The pundit feels the winger’s post-match interview went beyond frustration and directly undermined Amorim’s authority during a critical period.
For a manager still settling in, ignoring this could have set a dangerous precedent in the dressing room.
Crouch believes the player’s comments left the club no choice but to act decisively. Speaking to TNT before United’s game vs Aston Villa, Crouch said: “I just think the minute he came out and gave that interview after the game, completely undermining the manager, the writing was definitely on the wall.
“I just think the minute he came out and gave that interview after the game, completely undermining the manager, the writing was definitely on the wall.
“You can’t speak about a Manchester United manager like that, especially someone who is trying to find his feet as well, trying to get the fans on his side, you come out and kind of give the manager a bit of grief, questioning his thoughts and opinions on picking the team.
“That for me is completely undermining the manager and the manager has to then show his authority. if you don’t deal with that early, that could breed right through the dressing room, and other players then come out and say ‘oh I can talk about my situation’. Not good at all.
“He is a fantastic young player but those comments but let himself down and he has to be moved.”
Alejandro Garnacho should have started the final vs Tottenham
Mason Mount had a poor performance against Tottenham in the Europa League final.
He was given the nod to start ahead of Garnacho, and Amorim stuck with him for 71 minutes despite his impactless performance.
Mount failed to register a single shot or create a chance, managing just three touches in the opposition box.
In stark contrast, Garnacho made the most of his brief cameo, completing 11 of 14 passes, creating a key chance, and forcing a strong save from Guglielmo Vicario with a lively run and low drive.
Stat Total
Minutes played 71
Goals 0
Shots 0
Chances created 0
Touches in opposition box 3
Times dispossessed 1
Tackles won 0
Total defensive actions 3
Mason Mount’s performance vs Tottenham via FotMob
The Argentine looked like United’s only real threat in the game’s final stages, injecting energy and keeping fans hopeful of a late equaliser.
Crouch admitted that while undermining the manager in public was wrong, Garnacho did have a point. He said: “You know what though, he had a point.
“I think (Amorim) could have brought him on earlier. I don’t think the Mount situation worked in the final and perhaps he should have started Garnacho, but those things have to be in-house. You can’t come out and talk about it. ”
Given how the situation has played out, Garnacho could now be on his way out of Old Trafford.
Chelsea remain strongly linked with Alejandro Garnacho.
Chelsea showed strong interest in signing Garnacho in January but the deal did not materialise. However, the interest from the Blues remains strong.
TBR Football recently reported that the Blues remain in contact with Garnacho’s agent over a potential move.
With Amorim telling the player to pack his bags and then dropping him from the squad, it appears that his time at Man United is over.
With Manchester United valuing Garnacho at £51m, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will make a move for him in the summer.