Alejandro Garnacho could be a victim of Manchester United short-termism

After a string of disheartening results, domestically and in Europe, a Saturday night win away to Burnley was a welcome result for a Manchester United side starting to fall into their old ways. The win was the fifth game in a row in which Alejandro Garnacho didn’t start, and unlike the previous three in which he played a combined 20 minutes, he remained on the bench throughout the night.

Erik ten Hag was quizzed on Garnacho’s lack of participation, and he pointed to his “content with their organisation” as the reason despite the chorus of United fans urging for their 19-year-old winger to play a part. The Argentine teenager started the season on the left — against Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur — before being dropped to the bench for Nottingham Forest, initially for Anthony Martial, and in the last couple of games, for Rasmus Højlund.

“He [Garnacho] was in against Bayern Munich, and I thought our team was playing very well,” Ten Hag said, “so I wouldn’t change that tonight because this game was a demand to keep that organisation. That’s why I wouldn’t change.

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“I saw the players were still capable, and the fitness levels were good, and the energy was still there, only 1-0. I wouldn’t change that because I also know that Burnley, in one moment and in this moment where everything is against us, has again seen a disallowed goal.

Jadon Sancho has been ousted from the senior team because of a “squad discipline issue” and has been publicly accused of letting his standards drop in training, while Antony has mutually agreed with the club to take leave of absence ‘until further notice’ due to the ongoing domestic abuse