Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has torn into the fan who confronted Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho.
Deeney blasted the ‘idiot’ supporter, saying he only wanted five minutes of fame.
Prior to Man United’s Europa League clash against PAOK on Thursday, the Argentine went to sign autographs and was approached by a fan who told him while recording: “Garnacho, you’ve got to pass better today, yeah, please?
“Pass better, score a goal and work on your first touch as well, yeah?”
In response the 20-year-old calmly questioned: “Why you not playing, man?”
Deeney saw the footage and, although the fan was not aggressive or abusive, he was fuming.
He told talkSPORT host Jim White: “What an idiot.
“That’s not a supporter. That’s someone trying to get a little bit of attention. Idiot, that’s all I’d say about that.
“We live in a world where people like that, who don’t even get picked for their Sunday league team, want to try and say to a player, ‘Go work on your first touch’.
“Come on. Give the kid a break, he’s your top goal scorer. Fans have an opportunity and place to have their say and their criticism, but Marcus Rashford walked past everybody last week and Garnacho is staying to sign autographs and that’s what he gets.
“This is why some of the players walk past, because that’s what they’re going to get. They will just avoid it.”
The Red Devils have come under a lot of scrutiny as they are currently placed 13th in the league.
But with the sacking of Erik ten Hag, the interim management of Ruud van Nistelrooy and the upcoming arrival of new head coach Ruben Amorim, there is hope the club can take a turn for the best.
Frustration to Garnacho boiled over last Sunday against Chelsea as he squandered arguably United’s best open play chance, scuffing a shot perfectly cut back to him with space by Bruno Fernandes.
But it is evident he possesses talent – the winger currently has six goals and four assists in 17 appearances this season and there is hope that under Amorim he can become deadly.
Amongst Premier League players Garnacho ranks fifth in shots per game with 3.83, and within that list he ranks top for expected goals per shot with 0.12 – only below Erling Haaland with 0.19.
Due to the former Sporting Lisbon coach relying on a system with wing-backs, it could result in Garnacho playing more central behind the striker.
Fans will hope their forwards can become as deadly as Sporting goalmachine Viktor Gyokeres, who has 53 goals in the calendar year of 2024 for Amorim’s side.
The 39-year-old has a huge job on his hands to unite the fans with the squad.
A task he started without stepping foot in England, beating Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League in his final European match as Sporting boss.
Despite being announced on October 28, fans will have to wait until November 11 for Amorim to officially join the Red Devils.
And to make matters even more excruciating, the international break means he will not be on the touchline until November 24 when United will travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.
