Man Utd: Ten Hag ‘addresses’ Garnacho issue after Red Devils star ‘undermined’ boss on social media
Alejandro Garnacho liked two tweets questioning Erik ten Hag’s substitutions
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has moved to address Alejandro Garnacho’s use of social media after their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, according to reports.
The Red Devils twice came from behind to draw against the Cherries with Bruno Fernandes’ brace cancelling out goals from Dominic Solanke and Justin Kluivert.
Alejandro Ganarcho likes two tweets criticising Erik ten Hag
Garnacho liked two tweets from a well-known YouTuber questioning Ten Hag’s reasons for substituting him at half-time for Amad Diallo.
Explaining his decision to remove Garnacho – who has had a brilliant season for Man Utd – Ten Hag said after the match:”We lost some balls in areas we shouldn’t lose them.
“If you see the first goal, the set-up was good but in that area you should never lose the ball but it’s still not a goal. On the right side defending we had some problems in the first half. At half-time, we repaired it.
“In the second half, Harry [Maguire] was better, we repaired it on the right side and we took more control of the game and if we would have been more calm and composed, we could have had a win. First half, they were better. They created chances but the good thing is we returned twice from losing positions. So this team, the spirit is good, the resilience is good, they showed some character.”
Related video: Watch: Erik ten Hag storms out of Manchester United press conference and refuses to answer question (Dailymotion)
READ MORE: Manchester United need clean break from Erik ten Hag to end embarrassing adolescence
Ten Hag added: “I think we had to repair over the right side. We didn’t play well, the spaces were there. In possession, we had to bring a sub there. Garnacho was during the week not training. Only yesterday. We thought to bring some energy and bring some more quality, quality in the sense of cooperation and togetherness on that right-hand side.”
And now the Manchester Evening News claim that Ten Hag has ‘addressed Alejandro Garnacho’s social media activity with the Manchester United player personally’ after being ‘undermined’ by the Argentina international.
The report added:
‘A United spokesperson said the matter was dealt with internally but declined to clarify whether Garnacho has been outright disciplined. United highlighted that Garnacho had swiftly unliked the tweets.’
Erik ten Hag ‘lives in a parallel universe’
Richard Keys thinks Man Utd boss Ten Hag, who is under pressure, “lives in a parallel universe” after choosing to take Garnacho off with the Spain-born winger “digging him out week in week out”.
“He’s not realistic is he?” Keys said on beIN Sports. “I’ve said this before, he lives in a parallel universe. [There’s] a fair bit of criticism as a result of taking off Garnacho at half-time. It’s been suggested he threw the 19-year-old under a bus.
“I have some sympathy with that view. Garnacho’s dug him out week in week out over the last two months. Young players make mistakes, he said… The damage has been done from Ten Hag’s perspective.”
READ MORE: Manchester United and Spurs torn to shreds as Ten Hag sack demanded to save three players
Where are they now? The 13 players from Cole Palmer’s last Man City U23 appearance
Cole Palmer has reached new heights since joining Chelsea, but what happened to his former teammates from Manchester City’s U23 squad?
Since penning a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, Palmer’s profile has risen tremendously. Across all competitions, he’s scored 21 goals and has provided 13 assists this season.
Palmer made his final appearance for Man City’s U23s back in April 2022 against Everton and we’ve checked in on where the 13 players from that game are today.
Mikki van Sas
The Dutch goalkeeper spent three years in the Man City academy and left during the same window as Palmer. Van Sas returned to his native country and penned a deal with Feyenoord where he’s still waiting to make his debut.
Rico Lewis
Transitioning from the academy into Pep Guardiola’s squad isn’t easy, but Lewis has made it look like a walk in the park. Since being handed his first chance last season, the teenager hasn’t looked back since.
Impressively, he’s racked up 48 senior appearances for the club and has looked comfortable in multiple roles from full-back to holding midfield.
“What a player. What a player,” Guardiola said in a post-match press conference back in October.
“To find a player like him playing in the pockets, how he has to move in holding midfield, full-back coming inside moving in the spaces – he is one of the best I ever trained by far.”
Shea Charles
Man City banked a healthy profit upon selling Charles in the summer. Southampton swooped in with a lucrative bid of £10.5million which could rise to £15million with add-ons.
Charles was highly rated within the Man City academy, but that sort of figure was too good to turn down.
Since joining the Championship side, the 20-year-old has been a steady performer. The bulk of his appearances have come from the bench, but he has shown some flashes of quality.
READ: The £440million Man City have made from selling academy graduates under Pep Guardiola
Luke Mbete
The England U21 international is still on the books at Man City today. After a couple of loan spells in the EFL last season, he now finds himself with Den Bosch in the Dutch second division.
Given he’s under contract with Man City until 2027, the club clearly sees the potential in the young defender.
Tomas Galvez
The Finnish full-back is continuing to develop in the Man City academy today. He’s yet to make his senior debut, although that will surely only be around the corner for the 19-year-old.
Romeo Lavia
Following his lucrative move from Southampton to Chelsea in the summer, it seems like Lavia has dropped off the face of the earth.
The 20-year-old has had a rough time with injuries and has only played 32 minutes of football since joining Chelsea in a £53million deal. Fingers crossed he manages to come back stronger next season.
James McAtee
Being part of a Sheffield United squad that has been rooted to the bottom of the Premier League for the majority of the season can’t be much fun, but McAtee will have learnt a lot from this season with the Blades.
In fairness, the Man City loanee has been one of the brighter sparks for Sheffield United, in an otherwise disastrous campaign.
He’s chipped in with five goal contributions and the Blades will no doubt be keen on signing him on a permanent basis.
READ NEXT: 13 of Pep Guardiola’s most hilariously salty and sarcastic moments: Liverpool, Money, Tackles…
TRY A QUIZ: Can you name Man City’s 25 oldest PL appearance makers since 2000?
Kayky
The Brazilian winger joined the Man City academy from Fluminense in 2021. Since arriving in Manchester, fans have only seen a few flashes from him in the senior squad.
He’s enjoyed loan spells in Portugal and Brazil and is now continuing his development within the academy. In a few years time, we’re almost certain that he’ll be a star. Watch this space.
CJ Egan-Riley
Vincent Kompany brought Egan-Riley to Turf Moor back in 2022, although Burnley fans haven’t had much of a chance to see the centre-half in action.
The 21-year-old centre-half has spent the last couple of seasons out on loan and is currently developing with Jong PSV. With Burnley looking like a prime candidate for the drop, Egan-Riley might get his chance in the Championship next season.
Oscar Bobb
Remember the name.
READ: Man City have created a monster with laser accurate passes & Pep Guardiola is in love
Liam Delap
Delap endured a couple of tough loan spells last season with Stoke City and Preston North End, but this time around for Hull City he’s really shown his class.
A strong runner with the ball at his feet, Liam Rosenior has managed to get the best out of the Man City loanee. In the Championship this season he’s chipped in with eight goal contributions and has looked sharper than ever.
His contract at the Etihad is valid until 2026, although it remains to be seen if he has a future at the club.
Samuel Edozie
Southampton lured Edozie away from the Etihad in 2022 as the Saints shelled out a £10million fee to snap him up. The 21-year-old is by no means the finished article, but his raw ability is obvious to see.
“I think, before, when I first came into men’s football, for me it was more about just getting at players and trying to take them on – I didn’t think too much about what to do after,” Edozie told the Southampton club website.
“But I think now, playing more games and getting a little bit more experience, it’s also about that end product.”
Darko Gyabi
Gyabi spent four years in the Man City academy before he made the switch to Leeds United in 2022. The towering central midfielder has spent the last few months on loan with Plymouth Argyle and we can’t wait to see more of him in the coming years.
Liverpool man ‘frustrated’ to be ‘relying on’ Arsenal, Man City dropping points – ‘Need to be perfect’
Andy Robertson insists Liverpool will keep fighting for the Premier League title after Sunday’s defeat to Crystal Palace left them two points behind leaders Manchester City.
The Reds, who topped the table a fortnight ago, have slipped to third after damaging results in their last two outings.
Liverpool won’t stop fighting for title – Robertson
Following on from a frustrating draw at Manchester United, Jurgen Klopp’s side suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The blow was softened a little as second-placed Arsenal were also beaten later in the day, but Liverpool still trail favourites Manchester City by two points with six games remaining.
Robertson told the club’s website: “This group of lads will never stop fighting.
“It’s hugely frustrating to be in the position we’re in now, being third and relying on two teams dropping points.
“This time last week, we shouldn’t have been in that position. That’s where the frustration comes from.
“But that’s where we are, it is what it is. We need to be perfect from here on in, that’s for sure. We can’t drop any more points and let’s see what the other two teams do.”
OPINION: Swiss cheese Liverpool expose their holes as heavy metal era ending on a whimperRelated video: Klopp faces up to Liverpool's lack of momentum after losing to Palace at Anfield (Metro)
Video Player is loading.
The Palace loss, secured by Eberechi Eze’s 14th-minute strike, capped a dismal week for Liverpool in which they were also thrashed 3-0 by Atalanta in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
They now head to Italy for the second leg on Thursday before successive Premier League away games at Fulham, Everton and West Ham.
“We have to stay positive,” said left-back Robertson, who produced a superb goal-line clearance to prevent Liverpool falling 2-0 behind soon after Eze’s opener.
“We have to pick everyone up in the changing room because there’s a lot of people who are down, whether they missed a chance, gave the ball away or whatever it is.
“We pick up, we go again on Thursday and we give everything we’ve got.”
Palace’s victory – only their second under new manager Oliver Glasner – eased their fears of getting dragged into the relegation battle.
The Eagles, in 14th, now have an eight-point cushion over 18th-placed Luton and have a game in hand over most of the teams below them.
Glasner said: “I don’t look at the table every day because I know we will get our points when we perform well.
“I am really concentrating on our performance, what we have to improve, what are the strengths of our players and how can we combine them to be compact in defence and create chances in offence.
“I know if we perform well we will get enough points to stay in the league. Our full focus is on that.”
READ MORE: Liverpool and Arsenal and Blow-It Sunday: The first angry Mailbox
Merson claims Arsenal star ‘pulled wool over Arteta’s eyes’ in Aston Villa ‘mistake’
Gary Lineker and Paul Merson have agreed over a mistake Mikel Arteta made before Aston Villa’s Premier League win at Arsenal on Sunday.
The Gunners were stunned by Unai Emery’s men at the Emirates, with late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins securing a 2-0 win for the visitors.
Merson: Arteta got Arsenal team v Villa wrong
The Premier League title is now Manchester City’s to lose, which is awful news for Arsenal and Liverpool, who have trickier fixtures than the reigning champions.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were also on the wrong end of a shock result on Sunday, losing 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace after an early Eberechi Eze strike.
City are now two points clear of Liverpool and Arsenal with six games remaining and Merson is one of many to say the title race is now over.
Merson has also said that Arteta cost Arsenal with his team selection against Aston Villa.
Kai Havertz has been leading the line very well for the Gunners this year, with Jorginho operating in a No. 6 role, which has pushed Declan Rice further up the pitch.
Arteta deservedly started Leandro Trossard on the left wing but decided to move Havertz back into midfield, with Rice in a deeper role and Gabriel Jesus up front.
MORE ON ARSENAL FROM F365
Arsenal humbled by Aston Villa over 26-minute period which could define their season
Wright hits out at one Arsenal star for ‘switching off’ in costly Aston Villa defeat
Liverpool and Arsenal and Blow-It Sunday: The first angry Mailbox
Merson said before the game that Arteta’s starting XI was questionable and after the 2-0 defeat to Villa, he claimed the Spaniard should not have changed things up.
“I said before the game I didn’t like Arteta’s decision with the team he picked,” the ex-Arsenal midfielder told Sky Sports.
“Keep on playing the same team that wins every week, don’t have the wool pulled over your eyes for a 25-minute cameo against Bayern Munich. Jesus comes on and does well and he moves Havertz.
“They’ve won nine of 10 with Jorginho and Havertz playing where they were. It was a bench today that if it wasn’t going right, he didn’t have anyone. Usually, you have Trossard and Jesus to come on.
“He did it against Southampton last season when he left Jorginho out last season. The pressure gets to everybody. That’s where you need a Pep Guardiola who keeps cool.”
TO THE COMMENTS! Did Mikel Arteta set up Arsenal to fail? Join the debate here.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker praised Merson for identifying the “mistake” before kick-off and agreed that Arteta should not have dropped Jorginho.
“I was really surprised he didn’t play Jorginho because he’s been really good in recent weeks,” Lineker said.
“Really good, and it obviously allows Rice to march more forward and he’s very good at running with the ball and breaking between the lines.
“So I was quite surprised. I think it was Paul Merson who said it was a mistake, he said it before the game. Fair play to him for recognising that.”
READ NEXT: Unai Emery has shed Arsenal ‘laughing stock’ tag with ‘under-rated’ Aston Villa
MORE: Arsenal | Aston Villa
Neville rates Klopp’s final season so far as ‘scruffy’ Liverpool ‘career’ towards title disappointment
Gary Neville insists that Liverpool are “more than par” for where people expected them to be before the start of the Premier League season.
The Reds’ unexpected 1-0 loss against Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday has seen many Liverpool fans lose hope that they can win the title this campaign.
Gary Neville: This is a monumental achievement for Jurgen Klopp
Despite the defeat meaning Liverpool are still only two points behind leaders Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s men have a reputation for winning a majority of their matches at the business end of the season.
And Neville reckons that even if Liverpool don’t win the Premier League this season it has been a “monumental achievement” for Jurgen Klopp and his side.
“If you look at Liverpool, no one expected Liverpool to be anywhere near,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.
“If you said that Liverpool would be two points off Manchester City with five or six games left to go, I’d be like ‘no chance’.
READ MORE: Liverpool and Arsenal and Blow-It Sunday: The first angry Mailbox
“This is a monumental achievement I think for Jurgen Klopp, for them to be where they are. I said it before the international break and a few Liverpool fans had a go at me, but I felt like they were hanging on. I just felt like they were hanging on for dear life with emotion, with it being Klopp’s last season.Related video: Klopp faces up to Liverpool's lack of momentum after losing to Palace at Anfield (Metro)
Who
“And then when they went out of the FA Cup to Manchester United, there was this narrative that now the FA Cup has gone, now we can concentrate on Europe and the league, and after the Europa League result, now we can concentrate on the league.
“It’s not happening like that, but I still think Jurgen Klopp is getting the very best out of this Liverpool team and this Liverpool squad – and what we are now seeing is probably what they are, and they have overachieved to this point.
“I think Arsenal have looked really smooth in the last couple of months and City have started to look really smooth as they always do. Whereas with Liverpool, you felt they were always the scruffy one of the three, yet they were hanging in there, calling upon the emotion of the Anfield crowd and Jurgen Klopp’s last season. Calling upon other things, other factors.”
Gary Neville: It was a bad day for them and maybe a bit of a reality check
Neville added: “The last few weeks have become a little tough for them but this is more than par for Liverpool where they are. I think this is par for Arsenal, this is where we thought they would be after the large investment but I don’t think anybody expected them to be so close to City at this stage of the season.
“It was a bad day for them and maybe a bit of a reality check. The FA Cup has gone, maybe Europe has gone and now maybe the Premier League title has gone – and Jurgen Klopp’s last season is going to potentially end up with the Carabao Cup.
“But they are only two points behind City and they are likely only to be concentrating on the Premier League. And they can be dangerous because they have got that something in them, Klopp has got something in him that can garner a response.
“They have been the ones that have beaten City in the last five or six years. They are still in it, but there is just a feeling that they are careering along the road a little bit.”
