Alejandro Garnacho was reportedly dropped for Manchester United’s trip to Southampton for tactical reasons and not due to his social media activity during the week.
The 20-year-old started his first game of the season in the 3-0 thumping by Liverpool before the international break and looked set to keep his place at St Mary’s.
However, he was demoted to the bench by Erik ten Hag, with Amad Diallo taking his place on the right wing.
Earlier in the week, Garnacho risked the wrath of Ten Hag by liking a post from Fabrizio Romano detailing Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent criticism of Red Devils manager Ten Hag.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the United manager’s decision to take the winger out of his starting XI was a tactical decision rather than a punishment.
Garnacho liked a post detailing Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of United manager ten Hag
In a recent interview, the Portugal international claimed that United need to ‘rebuild’ and questioned Ten Hag’s decision to say the club cannot compete for the league.
Although Garnacho has since unliked the post, many fans were quick to notice his activity.
Ronaldo’s second spell at United came to an end in 2022 following a disagreement with Ten Hag.
The Portuguese star reflected on his departure in an interview with Rio Ferdinand.
Ronaldo’s comments read: ‘Man United coach can NOT say they can’t compete to win the Premier League and the Champions League every year.
‘This is Man United! You have to be there, to mentally say… listen, maybe we don’t have that potential, but I cannot say that. We’re going to try. You have to try.
‘This is why Man United need to rebuild.’
Ronaldo went on to suggest that ten Hag should take advice from his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy about United’s values.
Ronaldo said: ‘If ten Hag listens to Ruud van Nistelrooy… maybe he can help. He knows the club and the club should listen to the guys who were there, as this is really important.
‘Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Sir Alex Ferguson… you need advice from these people.
‘You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge.’
Ronaldo and Garnacho were team-mates at United and featured in six games together in 2022.
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