ALEJANDRO Garnacho looked emotional as he thanked the home crowd while walking off the pitch at Old Trafford last night.
Fans believe the winger’s post-match behaviour after Man Utd beat Rangers 2-1 hinted at an immediate exit amid his heavy links with Chelsea.
GettyFans thought Alejandro Garnacho looked emotional while walking off last night[/caption]
GettyThe winger could have played his final game at Old Trafford as he’s linked to move to Chelsea[/caption]
Garnacho stayed behind after the whistle to walk around the pitch and soak in the atmosphere.
Footage showed the Argentine looking emotional and seemingly holding back tears as he pressed his tongue to the side of his mouth.
Garnacho first waved and began clapping, while looking up towards the top tier as he headed towards the tunnel.
And fans in the Stretford End made their feelings known as they belted “Viva Garnacho” while applauding the 20-year-old.
Garnacho continued to clap and gave one final wave to everybody with his arms extended before making his way into the back area.
Online fans spotted Garnacho’s moving reaction, with one writing: “Oh damn he looks emotional.”
A second said: “We really don’t deserve him. It looks like a goodbye.”
A third added: “It feels wrong to let him go. You can see he wants to stay.”
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While another commented: “Wow. He looks sad to be leaving. I guess it’s his last match.”
Garnacho could have played his last match at Old Trafford, with United’s next home game coming against Palace on February 2 – the day before the winter window shuts.
The Red Devils are away at Fulham on Sunday and travelling to Romania to face FCSB on January 30.
Chelsea are expected to make a formal offer for Garnacho in the coming days.
United did not respond to questions around a reported bid from Chelsea that is said to be around the £60million fee they are looking for.
Garnacho’s representative, Quique de Lucas, was spotted watching Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday.
The Red Devils have been open around the fact their Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) situation is tight.
Under PSR rules, selling a home-grown player like Garnacho, who has arguably been the side’s most exciting player over the previous two campaigns, creates more room under pure profit.
Yet, United know such a move would go down badly with fans, especially if he joins their Prem rivals at Stamford Bridge.
Napoli, who had a £40m bid for Garnacho rejected this month, have turned their attentions to Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi.
Garnacho reportedly has no desire to leave United but may be pushed out of the club as United worry about PSR.
Those in red inside the stadium repeatedly chanted his name during his 90 minutes against Rangers.
An Argentina flag was unfurled in one section of the Stretford End.
Garnacho’s Instagram post shortly after further fuelled speculation that he’s waving goodbye to Old Trafford.
He captioned it: “Strong team performance. Thank you Old Trafford.”
When asked about Garnacho’s future after the game, Ruben Amorim said: “Let’s see in the next days.
“He’s a Manchester United player and was really important for us today.
“I think he’s improving in every aspect of the game, he was better today playing inside, also outside, changing positions, he’s improving the recovering position.”
Garnacho joined Carrington’s academy from Atletico Madrid in 2020.
He has made 118 first-team appearances for United since making his debut in 2022 and scored 23 goals.
Man Utd ratings: Bruno Fernandes captain fantastic in last-gasp win but Harry Maguire asleep in dreadful cameo
MANCHESTER UNITED all but sealed automatic qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League thanks to a last-gasp win over Rangers.
The Red Devils welcomed the Scottish giants to Old Trafford in the penultimate group match of their European campaign on Thursday night.
And they took a giant step towards a top-eight finish thanks to a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
A calamitous own second-half goal from Gers stopper Jack Butland broke the deadlock.
Cyriel Dessers thought he’d rescued a point for the visitors in the 88th minute before Bruno Fernandes broke the hearts of the travelling Teddy Bears four minutes later.
SunSport’s Ken Lawrence was in attendance for the Battle of Britain and is on hand to rate and slate the performances of Ruben Amorim‘s side.
Altay Bayindir – 7
The Turk is a better keeper than No 1 Andre Onana, especially dealing with corners.
Took a sore one colliding with Toby Collyer showing exactly that.
Leny Yoro – 5
The £52m central defender was deployed on the right side of Rubin Amorim’s three-man rearguard.
Youngster was shaky at times but looked better when he had the ball.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Terrible early touch stranded Toby Collyer – Nicolas Raskin’s even worse touch let him off the hook.
Hooked at the break – no surprise there, although Amorim said afterwards that he “felt something”.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Once known as The Butcher of Amsterdam but he’s long lost that scary presence.
Another one who doesn’t look happy in the new system.
Amad Diallo – 7
Looks a bit different these days since his tough time on loan at Rangers three years ago.
Not on wonder-boy form this time but still a threat.
Toby Collyer – 6
Made his first appearance on a European stage and the boy done good.
The 21 year old is a very decent emerging midfielder.
Christian Eriksen – 6
Turns 33 next month and his legs aren’t really up to playing in centre midfield.
He’s always been a creator anyway but he dug in.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Started out on his wrong foot as a left wing back.
Switched midway through the second half and looked far more comfortable.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
You wonder if he drives himself as mad as he must do his manager at times. But scored a fantastic winner.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Ruben. He’s NOT a centre-forward.
Whatever £36m bought, it wasn’t a natural striker and it’s unfair to be playing him up there on his own.
Alejandro Garnacho – 8
Busy and focused – didn’t look like any talk of being sold to Chelsea was bothering him.
On this sparkling evidence United would be mad to let him go anywhere.
SUBS
Maguire (for De Ligt 46) 3 Totally asleep for Rangers’ equaliser.
Malacia (for Yoro 56) 5 : Looking happier now injury worries over
Ugarte (for Collyer 73) 5 : Put in a solid short spell.
Mainoo (Eriksen 73) 5 : Added strength and mobility.
Hojlund (for Zirkzee 82) 5 : Ran about a bit – he’s good at that.
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