Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho has been dropped from Ruben Amorim’s starting lineup for the Europa League final, just hours after raising eyebrows with a post on social media.
The Argentine, who has been a regular fixture in Manchester United’s side this season with 57 appearances across all competitions, was named on the bench for Wednesday night’s game as Mason Mount was handed his first Europa League start since November against Bodo/Glimt.
The showpiece in Bilbao has huge ramifications for both Manchester United and Tottenham, who sit 16th and 17th in the top flight respectively after disastrous domestic seasons, with both European silverware and Champions League qualification the prize on offer for the victor.
Garnacho, who bleached his hair blonde in a new look ahead of the final, was seen cutting a dejected and frustrated figure on the pitch at Bilbao’s San Mames stadium as news of Amorim’s starting lineup broke.
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 ahead of the Europa League showpiece, with one earphone in.
Alejandro Garnacho cut a dejected figure as news of the Manchester United’s starting XI broke
Ruben Amorim excluded Garnacho from his starting XI for United’s huge Europa League final
The star posted an image of him scoring in last season’s FA Cup final just hours before kick-off
Just hours before, Garnacho took to social media to post 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 is no indication that Garnacho’s post has anything to do with his omission from the Europa League final lineup, the timing has certainly raised eyebrows.
Garnacho has previously been accused of using social media as a means of sending hidden messages to fans, managers and players.
He found himself in hot water for posting a picture of him looking disappointed at being substituted during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Ipswich in February, leading some to question whether he is more focused on himself than the team.
After the incident, Amorim revealed that Garnacho had offered to buy his team-mates dinner to make amends for the petulant post.
‘He came to me,’ said the United boss at the time. ‘It was funny because the next day he came to my office.
‘I did some investigations; he went to the dressing-room, changed his clothes because he was wet, he watched the game, not on the bench, and at the end of the game he was there and went home.
‘There’s not an issue. But I told him that at Manchester United everything is important and perception at a big club is really important. He is going to pay a dinner for all the team and that is it.
Garnacho arrives at the San Mames stadium, knowing he will only contribute off the bench
The Argentine forward previously found himself in hot water when he shared a picture of his substitution after Manchester United’s Premier League win over Ipswich in February
Amorim later said that Garnacho planned to buy dinner for the team to apologise for the post
‘I think it is completely different for the players,’ Amorim continued. ‘Before it was just two newspapers and nothing more. Now there is social media, they are so focused on it. You cannot go to it without seeing news and a photo.
‘There can be a hundred things and one bad thing, and they focus on that. There can be criticism and they need help to deal with that. It is modern football.
‘I think he understands. They read everything, all the small things. I know the players quite well, I understand they are frustrated. He was subbed, he was playing well. I am just trying to help them to be better players.’
Man United XI vs Spurs: Onana, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Amad, Mount, Hojlund.
Spurs XI vs Man United: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Bissouma, Bentancur, Sarr, Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison
