Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho celebrates after scoring with Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo during the Premier League football match Manchester United and West Ham United at Old Trafford in February 2024
The iconic image of Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo
It was the picture that painted a thousand words, the image that showed a new United, the canvas that represented the future.
Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund seated together on an advertising hoarding in front of a jubilant Stretford End after Garnacho scored against West Ham.
“Three young players with I believe bright futures and so hopefully it can go on to be an iconic picture and hopefully we can do great things for the club," said Mainoo when reflecting on the shot.
These were the poster boys of a new era, a trio to build around. Come August it's feasible that none of them are Manchester United players.
Garnacho is on his way out. Ruben Amorim has made up his mind and the talented but once too often petulant forward will be sold this summer provided a decent offer arrives.
Hojlund is attracting interest from Inter Milan after a difficult second season at United where his form and confidence dipped. The Reds are seeking a new striker this summer and if he stays at Old Trafford, the Dane will be down the pecking order.
Mainoo too, is far from certain to stay at his boyhood club. He is the most likely to still be a Red when the transfer window closes but an injury hit campaign last term coupled with a seeming lack of faith from Amorim and the stalling of contract talks means the 20-year-old could be sold.
He was starring in Euro 2024 a year ago after a breakthrough campaign with United that ended with him scoring in an FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Garnacho too was on target that day. If both are sold it would represent pure profit from an accounting point of view as both came through the academy. The Profit and Sustainability Regulations certainly play a part here.
United are under financial pressure and are already opening their chequebook this summer. Balance will be needed.
Since that day 16 months ago when Hojlund, Mainoo and Garnacho sat arm in arm soaking up the adulation of United fans the picture at the club has changed. It's not the only picture that looks different now.
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