A full 24 hours before Sunday’s Manchester derby, team news from the red side of Manchester got leaked, which was published on social media by The Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst.
As per the alleged leak, Ruben Amorim had decided to omit both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from the starting line-up. The leak turned out to be true when team news dropped on Sunday with both wingers not even making the matchday squad.
The head coach explained why he opted to drop his biggest counter-attacking goal threats and despite their absence, the Red Devils produced a stirring late comeback to claim all three points against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Amad Diallo turned out to be the star of the show as the team retained control and displayed patience on the ball and got their just rewards in the end.
Team news leak
Amorim was asked about the team news leak after the encounter and he said, “I know that story, I think it is impossible to fix, you have a lot of people in the club, the players talk with agents, it is not a good thing.”
According to The Sun, the club have launched an investigation to find out who the mole is exactly with Amorim even speaking to both Garnacho and Amad about the leak.
There have been accusations on social media regarding Garnacho’s brother Robert, who has denied these claims. And the Portuguese is satisfied that neither the Argentine nor the Ivorian is the culprit.
“MANCHESTER UNITED have launched an investigation into which player is leaking team news information.
“Both derby day hero Amad Diallo and axed Alejandro Garnacho have been quizzed by new boss Ruben Amorim as to whether they are responsible. Amorim is satisfied neither Amad or Garnacho are involved directly in the leaking.”
Whether the omission of both Garnacho and Rashford has something to do with team news leak is still not sure but Amorim has claimed that it is more to do with their training displays.
Investigation on
“It’s important to say why: it was not a disciplinary thing. Next week, next game, new life, they are fighting for their places.
“For me it’s important, the performance in training, the performance in games, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with teammates, the way you push your teammates.”
Whether the club’s step will deter such leaks from occurring in the future remains to be seen but both the coach and the club must try to curb this menace at the earliest as it puts United on the backfoot.
Strong measures need to be taken and if any player, no matter his standing in the squad, is considered to be guilty, it is imperative that the club axe him for good.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
