Online Reporter
Alejandro Garnacho and his agent brother have furiously criticised Ruben Amorim’s decision to drop him for the Europa League final, just hours after the Manchester United star took to social media with a thinly-veiled dig of his own.
It was misery for Manchester United and jubilation for Tottenham in Bilbao on Wednesday night as Ange Postecoglou’s side narrowly triumphed 1-0 over their Premier League rivals to call an end to the club’s 17-wait for a major trophy.
Spurs winger Brennan Johnson netted the only goal of the game just before half time, after a cross ricocheted off the shoulder of Manchester United defender Luke Shaw and into the path of the Welshman for an easy tap-in.
Garnacho, who had been a regular fixture for Manchester United this season with 57 appearances across all competitions ahead of the Europa League final, only featured for 19 minutes during the second half after being named on the bench by Amorim. Mason Mount was selected by the Portuguese manager in place of Garnacho, with the former Chelsea star earning just his second Europa League start of the campaign and first since facing Bodo/Glimt back in November.
Reacting to his exclusion and Manchester United’s defeat, Garnacho’s brother and agent Roberto caused a stir by taking to social media to laugh at Amorim’s decision to bench him.
‘Working as no one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus. Wowe hahahahahaha,’ he wrote on Instagram.
Garnacho hinted that he too disagreed with Amorim’s decision just hours before the final, posting a memory of him scoring in the Red Devils’ FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City last season, back when Erik ten Hag was manager.
Although there was initially no clear indication that Garnacho’s post had anything to do with his omission from the Europa League final lineup, the timing certainly raised eyebrows and now appears to be connected with the furious outburst made by his brother on the social media platform.
The Argentina star later echoed his brother’s sentiments during an interview after the match, while giving an update on his Manchester United future.
‘I played every round to help the team reach the final, and today I only got 20 minutes,’ the Argentine told the media, as per AlbicelesteTalk.
‘I don’t know. I will try to enjoy the summer and then see what happens.’
As news of Amorim’s starting lineup broke before the match, Garnacho was seen cutting a dejected and frustrated figure on the pitch.
Standing alongside Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon, who briefly spent a spell on loan at Old Trafford last season, the 20-year-old forward appeared unimpressed and unenthused before the warm-up, appearing to listen to music with one earphone in.
Garnacho, 20, and his younger brother have a history of posting petulant remarks and messages on social media when the Argentine is out of favour with the manager − Daily Mail.
Mathew Masinge