Garnacho's classic overhead wins Goal of the Season
The Manchester United Goal of the Season award for 2023/24, presented by Tezos, has been won by Alejandro Garnacho's remarkable overhead kick against Everton.
Our 10-goal shortlist boasted a ridiculous level of quality, with at least four or five of the nominated strikes worthy of taking the prize, and a huge number of votes were received via ManUtd.com and the United App.
But, in perhaps the least surprising news of 2024, Garnacho's sublime effort was the overwhelming favourite.
The 19-year-old's sensational piece of skill, produced less than three minutes into United's win at Goodison Park in November, was the talk of world football, with many onlookers suggesting it might even be the greatest goal scored across the entire Premier League era.
But, in perhaps the least surprising news of 2024, Garnacho's sublime effort was the overwhelming favourite.
The 19-year-old's sensational piece of skill, produced less than three minutes into United's win at Goodison Park in November, was the talk of world football, with many onlookers suggesting it might even be the greatest goal scored across the entire Premier League era.
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All the Angles: Garnacho v Everton
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Alejandro's wondrous moment on Merseyside claimed a whopping 74 per cent of the vote share, leaving little hope for any of the other first-teamers nominated.
But nevertheless, the voting patterns revealed strong admiration for several other pieces of magic.
Kobbie Mainoo's first senior goal at Old Trafford – a magisterial curler at the Stretford End against Liverpool which eerily recalled Federico Macheda's epic versus Aston Villa in 2009 – finished second.
But nevertheless, the voting patterns revealed strong admiration for several other pieces of magic.
Kobbie Mainoo's first senior goal at Old Trafford – a magisterial curler at the Stretford End against Liverpool which eerily recalled Federico Macheda's epic versus Aston Villa in 2009 – finished second.
That wasn't Kobbie's only high placing effort either: his stone-cold solo winner at Wolves in February also made it into our top five.
Amad's amazing extra-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Marcus Rashford's torpedo against Manchester City also gained recognition for their quality.
Amad's amazing extra-time winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup and Marcus Rashford's torpedo against Manchester City also gained recognition for their quality.
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Revealed: Men’s Goal of the Season shortlist
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But Garnacho could not be denied, and is it any wonder?
The winning goal was set up by a floated Diogo Dalot cross but, with due respect to the Portuguese, the ball was delivered somewhat behind Alejandro, necessitating the brilliantly executed piece of improvisation that followed.
Garnacho flung himself into the air and made a perfect connection with the high ball, sending it looping back over Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and into the top corner of the Gwladys Street End net. Wow.
Garnacho flung himself into the air and made a perfect connection with the high ball, sending it looping back over Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and into the top corner of the Gwladys Street End net. Wow.
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Instantly, comparisons were drawn with Wayne Rooney's overhead kick against Manchester City in 2011 which, in 2012, was deemed the best goal across all of the first 20 Premier League seasons.
While lacking the wider context that made Rooney's strike not only magical, but vital, Garnacho's effort will nevertheless be swooned over for years to come.
While lacking the wider context that made Rooney's strike not only magical, but vital, Garnacho's effort will nevertheless be swooned over for years to come.
It has already claimed the BBC's prestigious Goal of the Season award, and has now nabbed the club's own equivalent prize. The Premier League is yet to announce winner of its award, but surely Alejandro has a decent shout there too.
To pinch a quote from the late, great commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, which was once used to describe a Bobby Charlton cracker, Garnacho's goal was "good enough to win the league, the cup, Charity Shield, the World Cup and even the Grand National!"
Congratulations, Alejandro, and thanks to all those who voted.
Congratulations, Alejandro, and thanks to all those who voted.
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