Manchester United are now set to turn their back on plans to sign Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, after the Englishman defied the government’s advice during the lockdown in the United Kingdom. The Villa man was pictured out of his house just hours after posting a video online pleading with fans to stay at home to protect the National Health Service.
The backlash that Grealish has received has been huge, with fans of all teams condemning the Villa captain for his reckless behaviour. Rumours began to circulate on Sunday evening after pictures of the Englishman’s car crashed on a side street in Birmingham did the rounds on Twitter. Within hours the reports were confirmed that it was indeed Grealish’s car.
Grealish Apologises On Social Media
After the reports had been confirmed, Grealish posted a short video message on Twitter where he apologised for his actions. He regretted his behaviour and admitted that he was embarrassed after breaking the lockdown rules that have been put in place to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. However, some fans have knocked back Grealish’s apology as they claimed that it wasn’t sincere enough.
Aston Villa were quick to an issue a statement, as they condemned their club captain’s actions and fined him. This isn’t the first time that Grealish has been caught out by the tabloids, as he was pictured taking a hallucinogenic a few years ago. That picture, which was published in The Sun was believed to have cost Grealish a move to Tottenham Hotspur in that summer, and his actions over the weekend could have cost him another big-money move.
Manchester United Looking At Other Options
Shortly after the news regarding Grealish broke, newspapers began to speculate that Manchester United may now look past the Villa captain as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer isn’t convinced by his temperament. The Norwegian manager is looking to build a squad that will be able to dominate in the Premier League, but doesn’t want anybody to be brought in who might disrupt the camp. Grealish’s actions over recent days haven’t exactly painted him in a positive light.
United were expected to make an £80 million move for the Villa captain in the summer, but will now re-evaluate their options and look at other players. The Red Devils were previously linked with James Maddison, and that would now appear a much stronger, and reliable option from Solskjaer’s point of view. However, United could yet change their minds about Grealish, as there is no doubting his talent and the weekend’s actions could have just been a mistake.
Grealish has already scored seven goals and made six assists for the Villa this season, and he will remain an important player for the West Midlands side when the Premier League season resumes. Should his boyhood club get relegated this season, then he will be hopeful of a big-money move to United, but doubts have now been cast over the potential of that happening.
