Manchester United have shelved the plan to bring back academy graduate James Garner to Old Trafford, a leading football news portal declared on Saturday.
24-year-old Garner will become a free agent when his current contract with Everton expires at the end of the current campaign, and speculations of a homecoming were rife as Manchester United's transfer focus had shifted to the midfield region. With Casemiro's contract running out, Ruben Amorim not trusting Kobbie Mainoo, and Manuel Ugarte not living up to expectations, the team was reportedly considering bringing back Garner.
Meanwhile, popular football portal TeamTalk said that Garner is likely to continue at Everton as David Moyes has given him ten starts this season. His contract about to run out does not mean he will be leaving the Toffees as the Englishman is very much part of the gaffer's plans. As far as United are concerned, Garner is unlikely to be part of their 2026 plans, although they are well aware of his potential, a TeamTalk report said.
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The way Manchester United are building their squad in the post Cunha-Mbeumo-Šeško era with an objective to evolve into an incredible side makes the return of Garner unlikely, an insider reportedly told the website. 2001-born Garner spent nine years at the Manchester United academy and played seven games for the senior team. He had loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest, before finally joining the Merseyside club in 2022. He has three goals and five assists for Everton to date from 96 games.
The Red Devils are 10th with five wins, two draws and three defeats (17 points) in the English tip flight while fourteenth-placed Everton got three wins, three draws and four defeats (12 points).