Troy Deeney, the outspoken former Premier League striker, has made bold comments about Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, questioning whether football is really the right career path for him.
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The criticism came after Garnacho’s surprising lack of celebration following his brilliant late goal in United’s dominant 3-0 victory over Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday.
While the Red Devils’ impressive win marked another positive chapter in their post-Erik ten Hag era, Garnacho’s muted reaction to his own stunning goal raised eyebrows.
Despite scoring a world-class effort to seal the game, Garnacho opted not to celebrate, which immediately caught the attention of both fans and pundits.
Manchester United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, later gave an insight into Garnacho’s mindset, explaining that the young forward was feeling a sense of lost confidence among fans.
“It was a good day at work, I have to say,” Fernandes said after the match. “We have many players with great talent, but it’s easy for people to get carried away after one game and feel low after another.
Garnacho did something amazing with his goal, but he didn’t celebrate because he believes some fans have lost faith in him. I told him, people will always complain, but there are many fans who appreciate what he does.”
The incident came just days after Garnacho was confronted by a fan outside Old Trafford before a Europa League clash against PAOK.
The fan, who was also a content creator, criticized Garnacho’s passing and first-touch ability while asking for autographs. Garnacho, visibly annoyed, responded coldly, “Why aren’t you playing, man?” before walking away.
This public exchange didn’t sit well with Deeney, who expressed his disappointment over Garnacho’s reaction to criticism. Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney said, “I saw it on Match of the Day and I’ll say it again.
Two things stand out here: first, it shows just how thin-skinned some players are these days, where a simple comment from a fan can throw them off. Second, if Garnacho is so affected by these things, then maybe I’d advise him, as an older pro, ‘I don’t think football is for you, big man.'”
Deeney continued, pointing out that playing for one of the world’s biggest football clubs, Manchester United, means accepting both praise and criticism, regardless of performance.
“If you play poorly, people will get on your back. If you play well, they’ll still find something to criticize. That’s just the nature of the game, especially at a club like Manchester United. It’s about learning to deal with that.”
The veteran striker expressed his concern that Garnacho’s failure to celebrate such an incredible goal could be a sign of weakness. “It’s an unbelievable goal, but if he can’t handle a fan’s comment or the pressure of being at such a big club, this might not be the game for him,” Deeney warned.
Simon Jordan, former Crystal Palace owner and fellow talkSPORT pundit, added fuel to the fire, calling Garnacho’s behavior a clear reflection of the current culture at Manchester United.
“What you saw this weekend is exactly the problem at United’s dressing room,” Jordan said. “A kid, playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, scores a goal and all he can do is sulk because of criticism.
That’s self-indulgence at its finest. You’re playing for Manchester United, not a team in the lower leagues. The world isn’t on your shoulders – celebrate your achievements!”
The criticism from Deeney and Jordan highlights an ongoing issue at Manchester United, where the mentality of some players appears to be at odds with the expectations that come with playing for such a high-profile club.
The spotlight is now firmly on Garnacho: how he handles criticism moving forward could determine whether he rises to the occasion or falls short.
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s recent run of good form under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy continues to build momentum.
United’s impressive performance against Leicester ensured Van Nistelrooy’s reign ended on a high note, but the club is now looking ahead to the arrival of new manager Ruben Amorim.
How Garnacho and other young talents adapt to the changing leadership and high expectations at Old Trafford will be crucial in the months ahead.