It was a decision, announced by Manchester United this week, that you could have seen coming a mile off.
When a team is enduring a campaign as bad as Erik ten Hag’s have, there is usually two things at risk. One, the club’s Christmas party. And two, the end of season awards.
Given that we are in May rather than December, it was the former that was panned, The Athletic reporting on Monday that the annual awards show will not take place after a campaign in which the Red Devils could be about to finish in a worst-ever spot of eighth.
Of course, there is one member of the Manchester United squad who could be forgiven for feeling a little hard done by.
And when even Jamie Carragher is singling you out for praise – the Liverpool legend not exactly forthcoming in his admiration for anyone connected with the Old Trafford outfit – then you know you’ve done something a little special.
Alejandro Garnacho given Jamie Carragher’s award
‘Special’ is certainly the right word to describe Alejandro Garnacho‘s remarkable overhead kick against Everton back in November. A goal so stunning it earned Carragher’s own Goal of the Season gong on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
In a season of almost unrelenting lows for Manchester United, Garnacho has been a rare bright spot, a hint at brighter days to come alongside fellow teenager Kobbie Mainoo and the next generation of Carrington starlets.
“(Marcus) Rashford is a matchwinner. Bruno (Fernandes) always comes up with something. (But) today, Garnacho was the one who was going to make things happen,” United legend Wayne Rooney said after the Argentina international gave Everton nightmares again during the return fixture in March, becoming the first Red Devils player to win two penalties in the same half of a Premier League game.
“His work-rate off the ball as well is fantastic,” Rooney adds. “He is going to make mistakes, he’s still learning. But he has got that drive and hunger which any fan wants to see.
“I’ve been really pleased with him, and I think he will be a special talent going forward. He has probably been Man United’s best player this season.”
Manchester United’s breakout star
Garnacho, in all competitions, has nine goals and five assists to show for his efforts. The winger was, in the absence of the injured Fernandes and Rashford, Man United’s brightest spark again during Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat to title-chasing Arsenal.
Once he builds up his muscle, adds a bit of experience and a more ruthless streak to his game, Garnacho could turn from a very, very good player into a truly great one.
“I look at Garnacho and he is a match-winner. He does great things. He is a brilliant individual,” Arsenal icon Ian Wright told the Wrighty’s House podcast, the Man United whizzkid dangerous yet wasteful against The Gunners.
“But his team play and appreciating the others for a one-two or play a ball is kind of like almost non-existent in what he is doing. Some of his shots that he was having, and the one what he really had where he should have maybe hit the target, was the one time where I think Arsenal nearly got that wrong.”
