Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has slammed Alejandro Garnacho, telling the Manchester United star: ‘I don’t think football is for you.’
The ex-Watford captain took aim at Garnacho over his muted celebration after scoring late on in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City last Sunday.
In what was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s fourth and final game as interim manager, Garnacho came off the bench and delighted the Old Trafford crowd with a stunning, curling effort.
But notably, the young winger initially did not bother to celebrate his goal, though he showed a little emotion after being embraced by his teammates.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes later explained why the Argentina international was so muted: ‘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.’
Garnacho’s actions came a few days after he was confronted by a United fan and content creator outside Old Trafford ahead of the Europa League clash against PAOK.
The supporter told Garnacho to ‘pass better’ and ‘work on his first touch’ as he signed autographs for other fans.
A video of the incident went viral on social media, with Garnacho coldly replying: ‘Why are you not playing, man?’ before walking off.
Deeney had previously defended Garnacho by labelling the supporter in question an ‘idiot’ but was scathing of the 20-year-old following his muted celebration.
‘I said it last night on Match of the Day, and I’ll repeat it. It goes twofold,’ the Watford legend told talkSPORT.
‘One, it says what players are like nowadays, where their skin is so thin that one gentleman can say what he wants to say and everyone sulks.
‘And secondly, if he’s getting affected by that, I would say to him, just as an older pro: “I don’t think this football game is for you, big man”.
‘Because you play for the biggest club in world football. If you play poorly, you’re going to get people to get on your case.
‘If you play really well, you’re still going to get people to get on your case. You play for Man United.
‘It’s called jealousy and that’s part of the game. So, disappointed that he didn’t celebrate. It’s an unbelievable goal.
‘But this will be the making or breaking of him, because if he can’t handle that from one gentleman with an iPhone in his face, then I don’t think this is the game for him, unfortunately.’
While United have endured a poor start to the season, currently sitting 13th in the table, criticism of Garnacho would seem a little misplaced given that he is the club’s leading scorer, while only Fernandes can match him for goals and assists.
Nevertheless, United legend Roy Keane agreed with Deeney’s thoughts on the player’s non-celebration, saying on The Overlap’s ‘Stick to Football’: ‘We know these younger players suffered but if you can’t celebrate a goal there’s something drastically wrong with this game.
‘Celebrate a goal, that’s what fans travel for. People make sacrifices to travel to watch Man United, he scores a brilliant goal, United are having a tough time and if a young player can’t enjoy scoring a goal for Man United do you know what he should do? Get a job somewhere else.
‘There are idiots everywhere but my point is, when you score a goal, that’s gone. If he’s going to be upset with that – get a different job.’
Garnacho is currently on international duty with Argentina and should next be in action for United next Sunday when they travel to Ipswich Town – Ruben Amorim’s first game as United head coach.
This article was first published on November 11, 2024
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