Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho will treat his teammates to dinner as an apology after leaving the pitch and heading straight to the tunnel during their 3-2 win over Ipswich. The incident, which sparked widespread discussions, has been downplayed by manager Ruben Amorim, who confirmed the player had already taken responsibility.
The drama unfolded in the 43rd minute when Patrick Dorgu received a straight red card after a dangerous challenge on Omari Hutchinson. Amorim made a tactical substitution, bringing off Garnacho for defender Noussair Mazraoui to strengthen the team’s defense.
Despite the decision benefiting the team, Garnacho’s reaction of walking straight down the tunnel without acknowledging his teammates raised eyebrows. The incident quickly became a talking point, with fans and pundits questioning the player’s attitude.
Amorim clears the air
Speaking ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round clash against Fulham, Amorim clarified the situation. He revealed that Garnacho approached him the following morning to explain his actions.
“He came to me on his own,” Amorim said. “I did some investigations, and I found out he went to the dressing room to change because he was wet. He watched the game from another area and returned to celebrate with the team. There’s no issue there.”
The Portuguese coach emphasized the importance of perception at a big club like Manchester United. “In a club like this, everything is important. How players behave matters. Garnacho is still young and will learn from this. As part of the learning process, he will pay for a team dinner,” Amorim added.
Social media pressure
The United boss acknowledged the pressure young players face due to social media. Garnacho had posted a dejected photo on Instagram shortly after being substituted, further fueling speculation.
“Today’s players deal with social media differently. One negative comment can overshadow a hundred positive ones,” Amorim explained. “They need to learn how to filter what affects them.”
Amorim also defended club captain Bruno Fernandes, who faced criticism from former United captain Roy Keane. The outspoken pundit had questioned Fernandes’ leadership qualities.
“I have a different opinion,” Amorim stated. “Bruno is vital for us. His frustration shows he cares. I value his contribution more than any outside opinion.”
With the controversy behind them, United will now shift focus to their FA Cup campaign, hoping to salvage a difficult season under Amorim’s guidance.
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