A River Plate departure after two uneventful seasons is certainly not what Manuel Lanzini had in mind when the West Ham United favourite swapped the Premier League for an emotional return to Argentina.
Yet, that may very well be the fate which befalls a man who has missed almost as many matches as he has started during an injury-hit second spell at the Estadio Monumental.
Manuel Lanzini bid an emotional farewell to West Ham when Hammers fans were still adding champagne bubbles to their usual variety back in 2023; the jubilation of that Europa Conference League glory setting in.
Now, Lanzini has had his moments back in Buenos Aires. The occasional flash of magic from a player who left River Plate as a boy back in 2014 and returned a grizzled veteran nearly a decade later.
Lanzini’s first River Plate goal in ten years was enough to see off bitter rivals Boca Juniors in one hard-fought Superclasico.
The Argentina international rolled back the years against Independiente del Valle in the Copa Libertadores back in April too, his impact off the bench helping turn a 2-0 deficit into a well-earned draw.
But after being left out of the River XI for each of the last 12 Argentinian Primera Division matches, and failing to get off the bench in six of them, it appears that a fresh start may now await the West Ham United icon 8,000 miles to the north.
Former West Ham United star Manuel Lanzini could move to the MLS with Austin FC
While Manuel Lanzini was included in River Plate’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup – Inter Milan, Monterrey and Japanese outfit Urawa Reds await Marcelo Gallardo’s side – El Crack Deportivo report that the man in charge has ‘opened the door for him to leave’ this summer.
Austin FC are hoping to lure Lanzini to Texas as Los Verdes prepare for their fifth Major League Soccer campaign.
Relative newcomers to North American ‘soccer’, Austin FC finished 10th in an 18-strong Western Conference last term. Lanzini would represent a marquee addition for a team who – founded as recently as 2018 – lack the star power of many of their MLS rivals.
Former Granada striker Myrto Uzuni and USA striker Brandon Vazquez are arguably the most recognisable names on the Austin FC team sheet.
Lanzini might have signed off at River Plate with Libertadores wondergoal
In perhaps his final meaningful act in a River Plate shirt, Lanzini followed up his game-changing cameo against Independiente del Valle in April with the final goal in a 6-2 obliteration during a follow-up meeting between the two sides.
While not quite as spectacular as his iconic last-gasp screamer against Tottenham Hotspur, the manner in which Lanzini drifted into space and rifled a fearsome strike into the top corner proved that, while he’s lost a yard of pace or two over the years, the veteran’s eye for the spectacular remains as sharp as ever.
“It’s good that he feels this way. Scoring a goal like that adds a lot to his confidence. People are also starting to return the expectations they have for him. I’m happy for him,” Gallardo said a month ago before admitting that finding a spot in his starting XI for the 32-year-old was becoming an increasingly difficult task.
“We have a large squad. The players have to earn their starting spots and provide solutions. That contributes to the strength of the group and the harmony we strive to maintain.”
A move to Austin FC’s emerald-seated Q2 Stadium would perhaps quench Manuel Lanzini’s desire for a starring role again.
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