Troy Deeney Tells Bruno Fernandes to 'Smash' Garnacho in Training After Shirt Controversy
Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho sparks outrage after posing in Aston Villa shirt — with Troy Deeney urging Bruno Fernandes to "smash him" in training for disrespecting the club.
Tensions are rising at Manchester United after former Premier League striker Troy Deeney publicly called on club captain Bruno Fernandes to take action against teammate Alejandro Garnacho over his recent social media activity.
Garnacho, 20, caused a stir online after posting a photo of himself wearing Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa shirt while on holiday in Ibiza. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The young Argentine is currently out of favour under new manager Ruben Amorim and is expected to leave the club this summer. Both Chelsea and Serie A champions Napoli have shown interest.
Former Watford striker Deeney, speaking on talkSPORT, was furious at Garnacho’s actions. “He needs a clip around the ear. He’s bored and has got no respect. If I was Fernandes, I’d wait until he came back and smash him in training,” Deeney said. “This is Manchester United. Who do you think you are, you little dope?”
Garnacho, once considered a rising star at Old Trafford, endured a frustrating 2024-25 season and was recently told by Amorim that he was free to leave. His future at the club remains uncertain, especially after United signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal. Club legend Gary Neville also expects Garnacho to be one of the players heading out the exit door this summer.
The backlash wasn’t just limited to Deeney. TalkSPORT presenter Shebahn Aherne added: “That’s the most immature thing I’ve seen from Garnacho. Why are you trying to wind up the club that’s paying your wages?”
Fernandes himself has remained silent on the matter, but the Portugal international has committed his future to United, turning down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia to stay and lead the team.
As for Rashford, whose shirt Garnacho was wearing, his own future is also unclear. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa and is reportedly dreaming of a move to Barcelona, although talks with Villa about a permanent switch have taken place.
Garnacho may soon get the move he seems to be preparing for, but as Deeney suggested, his actions have raised questions about his maturity and respect for the club. Whether Fernandes takes matters into his own hands at Carrington remains to be seen, but the atmosphere in United’s dressing room just got a little more heated.
