Alejandro Garnacho has made headlines after deactiviating his X account just hours before Manchester United's highly anticipated match against rival Liverpool. The 20-year-old winger has come under fire from fans and has faced criticism for his recent behavior, particularly after being sidelined by manager Ruben Amorim.
Garnacho's recent drop from the squad coincided with controversy surrounding his attitude. Notably, he was omitted from the matchday lineup for United's win against Manchester City last month. Reports surfaced claiming the young winger showed dissent toward Amorim during the Europa League encounter against Viktoria Plzen, where he allegedly turned away from the manager as he received last-minute instructions before coming off the bench. Garnacho's representatives denied any intent of disrespect, attributing the incident to a misunderstanding.
Garnacho’s deactivation of his X account has raised eyebrows, especially among eagle-eyed supporters who discovered his profile had vanished with the message “This account doesn’t exist.” Though critics ponder the reasons behind this significant move, it appears Garnacho aims to focus on the upcoming match against Liverpool amid growing scrutiny and mixed opinions from fans.
His most recent posts on social media, especially on Instagram, have prompted speculation about his mindset. He updated his bio to include the words “NO TWITTER” next to a red cross, raising more questions about his current state of mind as he attempts to prepare for the clash at Anfield, where he has been named on the bench for several previous matches.
Former players and pundits have been vocal about Garnacho's attitude and performance. Graeme Souness, Liverpool legend and analyst, sharply criticized Garnacho's behavior, saying, “I hear about Alejandro Garnacho being unhappy with the manager. Can someone remind me of just who he is? The last time I looked he was only a 20-year-old boy.” Souness emphasized the importance of humility and cautioned Garnacho against acting out on the pitch.
Garnacho's situation was compounded earlier this year when he previously liked posts on social media criticizing then-manager Erik ten Hag's decisions. Although he quickly unliked these posts, the incident raised significant concerns about his behavior and attitude. Souness expressed strong opinions about the need for Garnacho to reassess his actions and approach to remain relevant at United, stating: “He acts like a 'wrong 'un' on the football pitch and,unless he changes, he’s got no chance of fulfilling what obvious potential he has.”
Despite the online chatter surrounding Garnacho, it’s important to note the recent challenges facing Manchester United as they look to revive their season. With all eyes on the upcoming match against Liverpool, there is hope within the club’s circle, including support from fellow players and former members, for Garnacho to seize this opportunity to prove himself once again.
Danny Murphy, former Liverpool midfielder, urged Amorim to reconcile differences with Garnacho, stating, “For 90 minutes, forget about the future project - try to get a result now. Garnacho is one of the few assets he has to worry Liverpool.” This statement signifies the importance of Garnacho's presence on the pitch for United and the broader impact he can have when he is performing well.
With conflicting opinions on Garnacho's future and his fit within Amorim's tactical framework, many fans are left to speculate about what this recent social media activity indicates. Observers are eagerly awaiting to see how the young player responds on the field, particularly against such fierce competition as Liverpool, which boasts its own legacy of rivalry and high stakes.
While Garnacho might have opted to remove himself from the noise of social media, his performance at Anfield is now the most pressing topic. Can he turn around what has been described as turbulent spell at United, and reclaim his role as one of the main attacking forces within the squad? Only time will tell, but as United fans keep their fingers crossed, all eyes are set on the pitch come match day.