It was yet another night to forget in Bilbao for Manchester United as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
Brennan Johnson’s 42nd minute goal was enough to hand Tottenham their first trophy in 17 years, as Ruben Amorim’s side failed to reply despite Rasmus Hojlund, Luke Shaw and Casemiro going close late on.
It crowns a disastrous season for Man United, who will finish in their lowest ever Premier League position, currently sat 16th.
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Their Europa League final performance lacked inspiration and dynamism, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mount failing to create any serious threat.
Mason Mount’s inclusion in the starting 11 would’ve raised eyebrows, with Alejandro Garnacho having been a mainstay in Amorim’s Europa League side.
After the loss, the Argentine reacted to the decision to leave him on the bench.
Alejandro Garnacho baffled at Ruben Amorim’s team selection
With one goal and four assists in the Europa League so far this season, Garnacho would’ve rated his chances of starting the final highly.
The winger has also featured in 36 out of the 37 Premier League games so far.
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To see Mount selected to occupy the left-sided role will have no doubt come as a surprise to Garnacho and, after the game, he revealed his disappointment.
“Until the final, I played every round helping the team… then the final arrives and I play 20 minutes?!
🚨💣 Garnacho: “Until the final, I played every round helping the team… then the final arrives and I play 20 minutes?! I don’t know”.
“The final, the season, the whole situation of the club… I will try to enjoy the summer and then we will see what happens”. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ELMvHLOHfm
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 22, 2025
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Garnacho proceeded to cast doubt on his Man United future, saying “I will try to enjoy the summer and then see what happens.”
A summer exit would end almost five years at the club for Garnacho, who joined United’s academy from Atletico Madrid in September 2020.
Should he choose to move on, here are three clubs that should be chasing his signature.
Three teams that could sign Alejandro Garnacho this summer
Chelsea
Manchester United FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
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It is no secret that Chelsea will be ready to spend this summer, after a campaign that hasn’t quite hit the heights that it looked it may do.
And there is previous history in links between Garnacho and Enzo Maresca’s side. Only in January, Fabrizio Romano reported that there had been contact between the two parties.
🚨🔵 Chelsea are set to approach Man United for Alejandro Garnacho, as expected.
Napoli remain keen but no agreement at €50m package, rejected by Man United; now also working on Adeyemi deal as revealed.
🇦🇷 Chelsea spoke to player’s camp and will now discuss with Man United. pic.twitter.com/rQz7HrDLvK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 23, 2025
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And this season, no Chelsea attacker has succeeded in locking down the left-wing position; Garnacho’s favoured role.
Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke have all been given the chance to audition, but none have seemed to convince Maresca of their capabilities.
Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund v Holstein Kiel - Bundesliga
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The German side have a knack of nurturing elite young talent and could look to do the same with Garnacho.
The likes of Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens have all enjoyed successful periods at the Signal Iduna Park, where young players seem to be afforded the freedom to express themselves on the pitch.
Perhaps a new country and a new league could do wonders for Garnacho?
Napoli
FBL-ITA-SERIE A-PARMA-NAPOLI
Photo by PIERO CRUCIATTI/AFP via Getty Images
Again, Napoli and Garnacho aren’t completely without past links.
In a similar fashion to Dortmund, Napoli have gained a positive reputation for offering Premier League players the chance to start afresh.
Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour have both played important roles in what has been a successful campaign so far for Antonio Conte’s side.
So, after 143 appearances and 26 goals for the Red Devils, it looks as though Garnacho could be moving onto pastures new.
Can he rediscover the form that had him touted as one of the world’s most exciting prospects?