Sent off in last night’s Copa América Centenario final, 26 year-old Marcos Rojo’s misery was compounded with reports that Manchester United have told the Argentinean defender to find a new club.
The defender’s dismissal came after a scything challenge on Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal, 29. With Chile already down to ten men themselves, Argentina’s numeric advantage lasted barely ten minutes. The match ended goalless and Chile went on to win 4–2 on penalties.
Rojo joined United for €20m from Sporting Lisbon in August 2014, making 25 appearances in his debut season. Injury interrupted his campaign when he dislocated his shoulder during the Manchester derby.
However, last season he fell from then-manager Louis Van Gaal’s grace following passport problems which prevented him joining up with the United squad for their pre-season tour of the USA. The Dutchman fined Rojo one week’s wages and subsequently relegated him to a bit-part player for the rest of the season.
Van Gaal wanted to use Rojo as a makeweight in the transfer with brought Anthony Martial, 20, to Old Trafford but his agent, Jorge Mendes, reportedly pulled the plug on that part of the deal.
With Mendes’ close friendship with Mourinho, it’s surprising that the player is being told to find a new home. United are willing to let him leave for a fee of around £12m and it won’t be long, with Mendes’ footballing connections, before a new club is found.
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