Football News

Erik ten Hag has told Alejandro Garnacho he has a lot to learn after the teenage striker apologised for ‘liking’ social media messages that criticised the Manchester United manager.

With United trailing 2-1 at Bournemouth last Saturday, Garnacho was substituted at half-time and one YouTuber put up posts slating Ten Hag for the move. Soon after the final whistle, Garnacho ‘liked’ the posts before withdrawing his approval.

Ten Hag was understood to have responded angrily.

And ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley, he said: “Alejandro is a young player … he has to learn a lot. He has apologised for it and we move on.”

It is not the first time a player’s social media activity has annoyed Ten Hag, Jadon Sancho being ostracised after appearing to criticise his boss on Twitter. Sancho has since gone on loan to Borussia Dortmund and can now look forward to a Champions League semi-final against Paris St Germain after featuring in the thrilling last-eight win over Atletico Madrid.

Ten Hag said: “It was a great performance from Dortmund and for Jason, it’s good news. He made his contribution to the result for Dortmund.”

But when pressed if it had made any difference to Sancho’s Old Trafford future, Ten Hag replied: “No. But we know Jason Sancho is a fantastic football player, so that is not a surprise for us. That is not the issue.”

Borussia Dortmund Jadon Sancho Alejandro Garnacho Paris St Germain