Alejandro Garnacho wandered onto the pitch almost unnoticed just in time to hear head coach Ruben Amorim give a speech in the centre-circle apologising for a ‘disaster season’.
Among the Manchester United players gathered there after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, Kobbie Mainoo stood with his teammates waiting for a lap of appreciation at the end of the club’s worst-ever Premier League campaign.
It seemed a world away from the same day last year, May 25, 2024, when United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The win that saved Erik ten Hag’s job and felt monumental enough to launch an exciting new era with youth at the heart of it.
Mainoo posing in his beanie hat in the Wembley sunshine. Garnacho with an Argentina flag wrapped around his middle, arms folded for the cameras, all attitude. Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo beside them, lapping up the adulation.
Later that evening, the images of Hojlund leading the celebrations at United’s hotel in Mayfair, never without a bottle in his hand. Garnacho larking around with influencer IShowSpeed, still wearing his match jersey.
The Argentina winger scored the opening goal that day and had a hand in the second for Mainoo, providing the perfect ending to a breakthrough season in which they posed for an iconic image, perching on the advertising boards with Hojlund at Old Trafford during a win over West Ham in February 2024.
Academy products are adored by fans of every team, but particularly so at United where youth has played such an intrinsic part in the club’s history.
So it felt especially sad to see the contrast on Sunday following a difficult season for both these young players.
Garnacho has been told that he can leave this summer in the wake of comments made by him and his brother Roberto following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao last week.
The 20-year-old couldn’t hide his frustration at being kept on the bench for more than 70 minutes when he spoke to South American media afterwards. His brother accused Amorim of throwing Garnacho ‘under the bus’.
The United boss was reluctant to discuss the subject on Sunday, but did not deny that Garnacho has played his last game for the club. ‘He is a Manchester United player,’ said Amorim. ‘He was not in the squad today but he's a normal player in our club. I have no news on that today. I don't know what is going to happen in the future.’
Mainoo, also 20, only got off the bench in the 90th minute in Bilbao. He was introduced at half-time against Villa and had a hand in Diallo’s opening goal, but he looks lost in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, suiting neither a deep midfield position or one of the No.10 roles which he had on Sunday.
As talks continue to drag over a new contract, the dilemma of how he can play regularly under Amorim and maintain an England place is a major factor.
When Mail Sport revealed in January that both Garnacho and Mainoo could be sold to help fund the rebuild under Amorim, it caused outrage among fans.
As academy players, selling them would generate 100 per cent profit under financial fair play rules – and not a small profit either considering that United value Garnacho and Mainoo between £60-70million and they are among the club’s lower earners due to their ages and contract situations.
It seems a perverse situation given how hard football has tried to encourage clubs to nurture homegrown talent, but it’s the same reason that United were so ready to cash in and sell Scott McTominay to Napoli last summer. McTominay’s role in helping the Italian club win the Serie A title should serve as a warning to letting go of top young talent.
Still, trading Garnacho and Mainoo would feel like selling the family silver. It’s not as though United are awash with exciting players at the moment. Chelsea have an interest in both and Napoli had an offer for Garnacho rejected by United in January. They may well try again now and news of Amorim’s decision to show him the door has done nothing to protect his market value.
It has always felt as if only one of the two would go this summer, and Garnacho has been favourite for some time given his uneasy relationship with Amorim. It appears as though fans could stomach that more easily than selling Mainoo, the Stockport-born local hero.
Of the other two, Diallo has become an untouchable under Amorim and popped up with United’s first goal against Villa on Sunday. Hojlund, meanwhile, continues to struggle and he will either leave this summer or lose his status as United’s main striker.
Ten Hag lost his job before the end of October as it quickly became clear that the magic of Wembley had well and truly worn off. Now, 12 months on, the sight of Garnacho and Mainoo so far from centre stage is incredibly sad.
potabeknry
1
- Hojlund has to go. - Unfortunately, Garnacho’s immaturity and indiscipline is unsuitable for Amorim. He has to go too. - Mainoo has to dig in to prove he can cut it at the top flight. He needs to improve on his speed and stamina. - For Antony as well, I don’t think the premier league suits him. - Rashford is entitled. Has to go too. He’s lost his drive and allowed the bad bug that bit Pogba, Lingard and Lukaku to afflict him. He could not rise to share the grit and determination to succeed like Maguire and Fernandez. A Mentally weak player. - Onana doesn’t cut it. Too scared on the big stage. Needs serious competition. At best a squad player.
baebcmoprs
1
I'm not happy supporters are also not happy even the fans are not happy everyone is not happy with his playing style of formation
baebcmoprs
1
Amorim doesn't respect the culture of the club. no wonder why the Glazer family accepted Jim Ratcliffes offer even Jim himself don't people around the club. even if Amorim get the players he wants he will let Manchester united suffer again with his stupid pride and shit formation 3-4-3 in premier league Manchester united will suffer consequences again
MwenePuta
1
Problem with Amorim is he doesn't want to inherit players used by his predecessors... That's the foolish part about this whole thing!
zutbklnsuy
2
Are they both stars, let go super first. Ordinary players hyped much. Can't see Garnacho staying & if Mainoo departs due to high wages demands, he should too be sold. Don't repeat the mistake of Rashford & Pogba here.
twikista
0
okay Mr perfect. tell us your own attitude... you could be a pedophile behind the keyboard
You should be tied in chains in a psychiatric hospital. You obviously very sick in your head!
twikista
0
It's not about Amorin. I think hype got to the head of these players. They started seeing themselves as super stars and finished products when in fact they should have stayed humble and learn more. Gernacho thinks he is Ronaldo already and Maino is already asking for a big money contract. So who should be blamed? The manager? not entirely. The players in question? To a great extent? The culture of the club? Totally!
You need a psychiatrist!
tokdlotyz
0
I am not saying he's over-hyped. He is a good player no doubt. But his attitude...
okay Mr perfect. tell us your own attitude... you could be a pedophile behind the keyboard
Yaeblpru
0
Both left out of the team and we didn’t win shit at least Eric would of won something and if you look we were not even far off by points most stupid decision and watch next season
twikista
0
It's not about Amorin. I think hype got to the head of these players. They started seeing themselves as super stars and finished products when in fact they should have stayed humble and learn more. Gernacho thinks he is Ronaldo already and Maino is already asking for a big money contract. So who should be blamed? The manager? not entirely. The players in question? To a great extent? The culture of the club? Totally!
I am not saying he's over-hyped. He is a good player no doubt. But his attitude...
makbimnrt
0
players joining Man U risk their footballing career. They finish before their time
cadamnoy
0
Man united keep turning future players to flops in no time 😂
de bruyne, Salah 🤣🤣🤣
Odogwo
1
Man united keep turning future players to flops in no time 😂
Betapidkin
1
It's not about Amorin. I think hype got to the head of these players. They started seeing themselves as super stars and finished products when in fact they should have stayed humble and learn more. Gernacho thinks he is Ronaldo already and Maino is already asking for a big money contract. So who should be blamed? The manager? not entirely. The players in question? To a great extent? The culture of the club? Totally!
Garnacho isn't over-hyped, I want you to know that at a point last season, Garnacho was the only goal scorer and assister Man united relied on aside from Bruno, I believe every player have their own time and for the fact that he didn't play well this season doesn't mean his not good. The issue with Garnacho this season is Amorim's formation and style and that has cost us so many devastations in the team before they later get used to it while some players have not.
Betapidkin
1
Garnacho have tried at Man united even though his form was later dropped this season. He's won two trophies with Erik ten hag and also privileged to be awarded at the past balon d'or ceremony last season. he's moving on to a new challenge now that the manager have decided to let him go despite his young age. Next season will take a new shape under Amorim with a lot of players will be released and a lot will join this great club.
The_Red_DeviIs
1
It's not about Amorin. I think hype got to the head of these players. They started seeing themselves as super stars and finished products when in fact they should have stayed humble and learn more. Gernacho thinks he is Ronaldo already and Maino is already asking for a big money contract. So who should be blamed? The manager? not entirely. The players in question? To a great extent? The culture of the club? Totally!
Plastics like you always looking for a scapegoat 🤡
The_Red_DeviIs
0
Mainoo isn’t an outcast you stupid casuals 🤡
twikista
6
It's not about Amorin. I think hype got to the head of these players. They started seeing themselves as super stars and finished products when in fact they should have stayed humble and learn more. Gernacho thinks he is Ronaldo already and Maino is already asking for a big money contract. So who should be blamed? The manager? not entirely. The players in question? To a great extent? The culture of the club? Totally!