Teen quartet won’t start after playing for the U23s
ALEJANDRO Garnacho, Hannibal Mejbri, Shola Shoretire and Alvaro Fernandez all started for United’s Under-23 side in the 3-1 defeat by Liverpool yesterday afternoon, so are unlikely to start against Brentford for the first team tonight.
The teenage quartet all started on the bench when United drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Thursday.
Garnacho, 17, was the only one to get on the pitch, making his senior debut for the club when he replaced fellow academy graduate Anthony Elanga with 15 minutes remaining.
United fans had hoped to see some of the youngsters start for the first team tonight, but it seems unlikely with them having played yesterday.
There is still a chance a few of the teenagers might make the squad at Old Trafford this evening after Ralf Rangnick warned he does not intend to ‘gift’ players farewells in what is expected to be the last possible chance for out-of-contract trio Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Jesse Lingard to appear at Old Trafford for the club.
Matic has started in the last three games and is expected to keep his place due to a shortage of central midfielders but Mata has not started in the Premier League since the final day of last season.
Lingard started against Norwich earlier this month but had to withdraw from the squad to face Chelsea due to family reasons.
“I would like to but it is also about getting the best possible result and the best possible performance,” Rangnick said of the prospect of giving Matic, Mata and Lingard fulfilling playing time. “It is not about making any gifts to players.
“It is not about saying farewell to the supporters. If that is possible I would do that, I would like to do that, but it is also about getting the best possible result.”