It was learned that Alejandro Garnacho was fired from the Manchester United team for a show of disagreement towards head coach Rubén Amorim.
Garnacho sat out the Manchester derby last month along with Marcus Rashford and has been on the bench for the last four games.
Mail Sport understands the Argentine winger appeared to turn his back on Amorim and walk away as the United manager gave him instructions on the touchline before facing Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League three days before the derby.
The 20-year-old's representatives denied it was disrespectful and blamed it on a misunderstanding.
United declined to comment, but sources insist there is no rift between the two and that Garnacho has not been excluded. However, they acknowledged that Amorim has set exacting standards for players since taking over.
Garnacho is one of United's brightest young stars but the decision to bench him has raised questions over whether he fits into Amorim's 3-4-3 system.
Alejandro Garnacho was dismissed from the squad for the Manchester derby by Rubén Amorim
The incident occurred during United's 2-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.
The decision to bench Garnacho has raised questions about his suitability for Amorim's system.
Joshua Zirkzee was chosen ahead of him on the left side of United's attack for Monday's defeat to Newcastle, but was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo in the first half.
Rashford returned to the team for that match as an unused substitute after a four-match absence, but is out of Sunday's clash against Liverpool at Anfield after missing training this week through illness.
It comes amid fresh speculation over Rashford's future in the January transfer window, although he has rejected three offers to move to the Saudi Pro League worth up to £35m a year.
“It's the same situation,” Amorim said Friday. “At the moment he is sick and is not training, so we will see in the future. But he is like a normal player, then I make a selection and it is the same.
“I think he'll be out this week. He's not training. We'll see, but I think he'll be out this week.”
Meanwhile, United will activate the one-year option on Harry Maguire's contract at Old Trafford, with Amorim calling on the former club captain to step up in a team “hungry” for leadership.
Amorim, who also revealed that Amad Diallo is close to agreeing a new deal, spoke to Maguire in Carrington on Friday morning and confirmed that the England defender will extend his £190,000-a-week contract until June 2026.
Both Maguire and Diallo would become free agents in the summer if they do not sign new terms. “Amad is close, Harry Maguire will activate our option,” Amorim said.
Joshua Zirkzee was chosen ahead of Garnacho on the left side of the attack for the match against Newcastle
United to activate one-year option on Harry Maguire's contract at Old Trafford
Maguire captained United until former manager Erik ten Hag took the armband from him and gave it to Bruno Fernandes in the summer of 2023.
“I talked to him this morning and told him he has to improve his game on the field,” Amorim said.
“We need him a lot and he also has to improve as a leader, because we all know the situation he had here. But we need him a lot right now, so we are going to happily activate the option for Harry.
'There are moments in a player's career that are different. He dealt with his issues very well and when you look at our team, we are hungry for leaders on the field.
“He is a leader, he has to improve that part, he has to improve his game, so we are happy to continue with Harry.
“If you want to be a top-level team, you have to be a leader and we have that in the locker room, but they have to take a step forward.” We also have a lot of young children and this time is really difficult. “We can look at the table, but you are still Manchester United.”
United head to Anfield after four consecutive defeats in all competitions and without a win there in nine years.
“This year we will face the best team,” Amorim added. “Right now they are better than us, but we can win any game.”