In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has reportedly voiced strong criticism over Manchester United’s decision-making regarding a specific player, sending a stern message to current United manager Ruben Amorim.
The comments follow Manchester United’s disappointing 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, a result that has ramped up the pressure on Amorim and sparked fresh questions about the squad’s direction.
Guardiola’s remarks appear to reflect a deep concern over how one United player has consistently been mismanaged. He claims that he had previously advised former manager Erik ten Hag to sideline the same player, warning that playing him in the wrong position would have serious consequences.
“I warned Erik ten Hag about this player,” Guardiola reportedly said. “Told him to bench him—but he didn’t listen, and look where it got him: sacked. Now Amorim has just made the same mistake, and I’m here to warn him too: get him out if you survive till next season.”
While the Manchester City manager did not explicitly name the player involved, multiple reports suggest the player in question is Argentine winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Garnacho has been deployed in several positions across the attacking line this season—including the number ten role, which many analysts argue doesn’t utilize his key strengths, such as pace, direct dribbling, and ability to stretch defenses from wide areas.
Guardiola’s strong words—especially the blunt statement, “I DON’T SIGN THESE TYPES OF PLAYERS”—signal his belief that certain player profiles, like Garnacho’s, might lack the tactical and technical attributes required at the highest levels of football.
His criticism points not only to Garnacho’s positional deployment but possibly to concerns about decision-making, adaptability, or consistency.
This critique arrives at a delicate time for Ruben Amorim, who took over the reins at Old Trafford under immense expectations. Despite the club’s rocky domestic season and this latest European setback, Amorim reportedly still has the trust of United’s board.
The club is said to be ready to spend over £100 million in the upcoming transfer window to reshape the squad and back the manager’s strategic vision.
However, Guardiola’s intervention has added fuel to the ongoing debate about Amorim’s tactics and squad choices. With the summer approaching and key decisions looming, pressure will mount on United’s leadership to reassess certain players’ roles and respond to external criticism.
As Manchester United look to rebuild and aim for a return to elite status, the coming weeks will be crucial. Whether Amorim chooses to act on Guardiola’s warning—or defy it—could shape both his tenure and United’s future.
