ROY KEANE has blasted Alejandro Garnacho for his refusal to celebrate his goal against Leicester.
The winger was on the end of criticism from a Manchester United fan outside of Old Trafford before the Europa League clash against PAOK.
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Garnacho, who was named in the starting XI for that game, went over to takes photos and write autographs for fans before the clash.
However, one fan who recorded the interaction told him: “You’ve got to pass better today, yeah please? Pass better today, score a goal, and work on your first touch as well.”
The 20-year-old responded by saying: “Why aren’t you playing?”
Then during the next game against Leicester, Garnacho came off the bench to cap off a 3-0 win with a stunning finish into the top corner.
But Garncho had a muted celebration following the goal, with captain Bruno Fernandes explaining: “Garnacho scored a banger but didn’t celebrate like he should because he thinks he has lost faith from some fans.
“I told him people will always moan but lots of people like you and enjoy what you do.
“I told him to celebrate, it was something special. He is a special player, we have difference makers.
“They are the ones who win us games. We want them to score every game but that isn’t going to happen.”
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However, the Argentine’s lack of celebration has sparked fury from some former stars, including Red Devils legend Keane.
Appearing on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane and co were asked: “What advice would you give to young players when they get hassled by their own fans?”
In response, the 53-year-old fumed: “If you can’t celebrate a goal, there is something drastically wrong with this game.
“Whatever has gone on off the pitch for any player – it could be family stuff – you work all week, you’re playing the game to score a goal.
“When you score a goal, there should be nothing else on your mind. You’ve got fans who have travelled, paid fortunes to get there, and he’s on about people having a go at him.”
Ian Wright was more compassionate towards the youngster, saying: “For a 20-year-old, he’s still going through the journey of what he’s doing.
“That [fans’ criticism] affected him to the point where he didn’t celebrate. That’s how much it affected him. He scored a great goal, but he’s worried about that.
“It’s the saddest thing in the world when someone scores and they don’t celebrate because of something that has happened.”
Man Utd ratings v Leicester
Here’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the Red Devils.
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Stood tall when Ndidi went through on goal and a decent tip round the post from Ayew as Leicester tried to get back in it.
NOUSSAIR MAZROUAI – 6
Lucky to escape tackle on Buonanotte without any punishment. Supplied the cross from the left which led to United’s second goal.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6
Made a key second half clearance when the Foxes were trying to find their way back into the game. Fairly comfortable afternoon for home defenders.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7
Spent the first hour at centre half then showed his versatility by switching to left-back when Dalot was forced off.
DIOGO DALOT – 6
Did a steady job keeping the Foxes at bay but then taken off on the hour – presumably due to injury as United had to reshuffle their defence.
CASEMIRO – 7
Better from the veteran Brazilian who helped United take command of the game before getting the chance to put his feet up late on.
MANUEL UGARTE – 6
Great challenge on Soumare showed what he is all about and some signs he is finding his feet. Will be looking forward to arrival of former boss Amorim.
AMAD DIALLO – 7
Delightful backheel for Fernandes to curl home the opener and could have scored himself. The Ivorian has had a good week.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
Presented with a shirt to mark his 250th appearance before the game and will be getting more plaudits for his performance here. Involved in all three goals.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 5
Given the nod to start ahead of Garnacho but did not do enough to justify the faith of Van Nistelrooy. No surprise when he was replaced by the Argentine on the hour.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 5
A largely ineffective afternoon for the Danish forward before he was subbed late on. Nothing wrong with his work-rate but does he have the quality Amorim will want?
Keane added: “People make sacrifices to travel to watch Man Utd, he scores a brilliant goal, they are having a tough time – and if a younger player can’t enjoy scoring a goal for Man Utd, then get a job somewhere else.
“If I’m working in a factory someone would give me stick in the factory.
“You want a player to celebrate with the fans… Don’t listen to that idiot, there’s them f***ing idiots everywhere. But when you score a goal that should be gone in that moment.
“If he’s going to be upset with that, get a different job.”
Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd
WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
Wright argued: “He’s probably playing in anger. He can’t not think about it [the fans’ criticism].”
An impassioned Keane continued: “You’ve scored in front of 60-70,000 fans. He’s probably under pressure from outside sources.
“Every player is under pressure from family, for tickets, your performances, your fitness, your contract.
“There’s all sorts of pressures on players but for that moment, or for that weekend when you’ve scored a goal, you should be going, ‘Whatever happens for the rest of my life, if it finishes tonight, I’m going to enjoy this moment’.”
Wright concluded: “He’ll probably get that as he gets older, he’ll learn from this experience and he may never do that again.
“But I don’t think he’s wrong to do that, because you know what the sad thing is that he didn’t celebrate for himself. And that’s because somebody affected him.”
Garnacho is Man Utd’s top scorer this season with seven goals in all competitions.
