Alejandro Garnacho was not in the mood to linger on the bench. Late in the first half against Ipswich, he was forced off to accommodate a tactical switch sparked by Patrick Dorgu’s red card.
Frustrated, Garnacho headed straight down the tunnel instead of returning to watch the remainder of the match with his teammates.
Manager Ruben Amorim noticed. “He came to me,” Amorim said. “It was funny because the next day he came to my office. I did some investigation—he went to the dressing room to change his clothes because he was wet. He watched the game, not on the bench.”
Although Amorim insisted the incident wasn’t a massive issue, he reminded Garnacho that appearances matter. “I told them that in Manchester United everything is important, and the perception in a big club is really important, so he’s going to pay a dinner to all the team, and that’s it.”
For a 20-year-old still learning the expectations of elite football, a team meal can be more than just a bill; it’s a reminder that no action goes unnoticed at Old Trafford.
A lesson in perception?
“He’s a young kid that will learn,” Amorim noted, underscoring that Garnacho’s gesture isn’t meant to shame him but to encourage accountability. It also sets an example for others who might forget how small missteps can escalate when scrutinized by cameras, fans, and a demanding global audience.
Garnacho has three goals this season and is expected to be fit for the upcoming FA Cup match against Fulham. He picked up a knock while appearing against Ipswich, but should be ready, provided he passes final fitness checks. Amorim clearly wants Garnacho’s dynamism on the pitch—just as much as he wants his players to respect the club’s standards.
“The important thing,” Amorim added, “is that the next morning he was speaking with me.” A single conversation often does more than any punishment. Open communication keeps frustration from simmering, and paying for dinner might help smooth lingering tensions in the dressing room.
This episode reflects a broader theme at Manchester United—balancing youthful passion with professional restraint. Even a small moment like stepping off the pitch can become a talking point. In Garnacho’s case, it also became a dinner invitation for the entire squad.
