It’s Gymnastics, That’s Not Football: Gary Neville Reacts to Alejandro Garnacho’s Overhead Goal – News18

Gary Neville termed Alejandro Garnacho’s spectacular strike for Manchester United as the ‘most beautiful overhead kick’.

The 19-year-old scored with a stunning overhead kick in the third minute to fire United to a 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park, leaping to meet Diogo Dalot’s cross with an acrobatic scissor kick into the top right corner that instantly drew comparisons with former United striker Rooney.

“I’ve not seen as good a goal as that from an overhead kick. That was the most beautiful overhead kick. The thing that struck me straight away was the fact he had to move away, he comes in and comes back out, moves his feet quickly and then throws himself in the air. Most players wouldn’t know how to do that: it’s gymnastic and acrobatic. It’s gymnastics – that’s not football,” said Neville.

“It’s the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen. It’s not a bicycle kick, it’s an overhead kick. There are times you can get on your side, into that position. We can all do that. But to get into the position Garnacho did, I’ve never seen that before. I think Rooney’s is close to it but Garnacho’s is just better,” Neville added.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag felt it could turn out to be the ‘goal of the season’ but added that it was too soon to be comparing his young player with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“The season, still many games to play, but probably already the goal of the season,” Ten Hag told reporters. “It was incredible.”

ALSO READ | ‘Potential, He Has…But, Don’t Compare’: Erik Ten Hag On Alejandro Garnacho’s Goal Drawing Comparisons To Cristiano Ronaldo

The Argentinian teen said he himself couldn’t believe he had scored.

“I didn’t see how I scored, I just listened to the crowd and said ‘Oh my god,’” Garnacho told NBC. “One of the best goals I’ve scored, I’m very happy.”

In fact, Garnacho marked the goal by copying former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo’s celebration.

“It’s amazing, something out of this world, I think,” Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said.

ALSO READ | Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho Can Be “Something Special” Says Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes went on to caution that it is too early to suggest Garnacho can emulate Ronaldo’s remarkable career, but he expects great things from his young team-mate, who arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

“Probably he’s watching too much Cristiano clips! We all know that he’s a big fan. Still a long way for him to be like Cristiano but he’s getting his steps,” Fernandes said.

“He wants to be something special in the world of football and I think he has the capability to do that, but he has to do more than that goal!”

(With inputs from Agencies)