“Erik ten Hag made me cry yesterday because of his wrong lineups… Seeing such amazing talent on bench really broke me”: Man United legend Roy Keane reveals his emotional reaction to Man United’s starting lineup yesterday as he slam Erik ten Hag for benching Club’s ‘Game changer’
Roy Keane’s praise of Alejandro Garnacho has came back to bite him since the new Premier League season got underway.
The Manchester United legend-turned-pundit couldn’t speak highly enough of the 20-year-old Argentina international after he scored in the Community Shield against rivals Manchester City earlier this month. The tricky winger gave United a shock lead after 82 minutes at Wembley with a stunning solo goal – cutting into the centre of the box before slotting it hard and low past Ederson to show his potency when firing.
Bernardo Silva spoiled United’s party just seven minutes later, though, getting the better of Diogo Dalot at the back post before nodding past Andre Onana to take the game to penalties. And while the Red Devils ultimately lost 7-6 on spot kicks in the cruellest possible fashion, Keane was quick to praise Garnacho for his efforts on the day.
Bernardo Silva spoiled United’s party just seven minutes later, though, getting the better of Diogo Dalot at the back post before nodding past Andre Onana to take the game to penalties. And while the Red Devils ultimately lost 7-6 on spot kicks in the cruellest possible fashion, Keane was quick to praise Garnacho for his efforts on the day.
Speaking on ITV, the 53-year-old said: “I tell you what all the really good players do. The really, really good players impact the game and every time he’s on the football pitch he has an impact, he does something. He cuts in, lovely little finish. When he comes onto the pitch I kind of expect this from him now.
“You knew he was going to create something. You knew he was going to have an effect. If you’re a defender you do not want to mark him because he will run at you, he will try something, he will create problems.” However, Keane will probably be rueing his words at present, with Garnacho having endured a rocky start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign thus far.
While the Argentinian scored 10 goals for United last season, he has already squandered opportunities in both of his league games this term from off the bench. While he was instrumental in Joshua Zirkzee’s goal during their opener against Fulham – whipping the ball into the centre of the box for the summer signing to tap home – he let a clear-cut chance to double United’s lead go to waste moments later.
Marcus Rashford burst through on goal in the game’s dying moments, before squaring the ball to an unmarked Garnacho, who had an open goal to aim at. While football fans would have bet their house on the youngster to make it 2-0, he scuffed the ball with his left foot, frustratingly putting the ball far wide of the post.
Gary Neville couldn’t contain his disappointment on commentary duties, exclaiming: “What a mess that is for Fulham and [Calvin] Bassey, but also for Garnacho – thinking that Rashford must pass it. He does and then… oh dear.”
Incredibly, Garnacho would also suffer a total disaster in United’s game against Brighton and Hove Albion at the AMEX Stadium on Saturday (August 24). Danny Welbeck put Brighton 1-0 up in the first half after receiving a tap in in the middle off the box from Kaoru Mitoma, before Amad equalised in the second.
