We take a look at the options Alejandro Garnacho has open ahead of next season with his time at Manchester United seemingly at an end.
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
Alejandro Garnacho is seemingly at the end of his career with Manchester United after a dramatic rise under Erik ten Hag and a public fall under Ruben Amorim.
At only 20-years-old, Garnacho has already made a mark in the United squad following his breakthrough campaign two years ago under the Dutch manager.
Since his cameo debut against Chelsea at Old Trafford on 28th April 2022, Garnacho’s made 144 appearances for the club, with 98 starts, grabbing 26 goals and 22 assists.
Garnacho grabbed the hearts of United fans with him and Kobbie Mainoo netting the vital goals in United’s 2-1 win over Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final to secure Europe League football this season.
However, he was also decorated as only the second Manchester United player, after Cristiano Ronaldo, to be awarded with the coveted Puskas Award for football’s most beautiful goal in 2024 for his bicycle kick goal against Everton last season.
With all this in mind, it looked like Garnacho was going to be the future of United. Even when Ruben Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon, the Argentine still held his position despite not fitting naturally into the Portuguese manager’s system.
As a natural winger, Garnacho has had to adapt his style under Amorim, with the new manager using dynamic wing-backs over forward wingers.
As such, Garnacho has faced the challenge of either dropping more defensively to remain on the wing, or coming more central into a close attacking trio.
The Argentina international has managed to step inside, supporting the loan striker, successfully registering more goals this season than strikers Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee, with only club captain Bruno Fernandes scoring more.
Garnacho has been a strong presence on the pitch for The Red Devils which otherwise has been the worst Premier League performance on record, with the Europa League being their only saving grace.
However, despite their success in Europe through the tournament, the Europa League final has seemingly proved catastrophic for United, and fatal for Garnacho’s time at Old Trafford.
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We take a look at the options Alejandro Garnacho has open ahead of next season with his time at Manchester United seemingly at an end.
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
The Europa League final as the start of the fall of Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho
Image Credits: Getty Images
As United headed to the San Mames for the Europa League final, set to face Tottenham Hotspur, everything was resting on The Red Devils winning the trophy.
This was their last chance to secure European football for next season, with a win granting them access to the Champions League and with it £100 million in much-needed extra revenue.
However, Spurs emerged victorious, with a 1-0 victory, as The Red Devils headed back to Old Trafford trophyless and without European football.
That wasn’t before Alejandro Garnacho could have his say on the outcome though.
The winger was dropped from the starting line-up, with Amorim opting for Amad Diallo and Mason Mount instead, with Garnacho entering the game in the 72nd minute.
Admittedly, Garnacho joining the action completely changed United’s pace, bringing more urgency to an otherwise lacklustre side. However, Garnacho’s decision to publicly undermine his manager’s decision proved to be extremely costly.
Speaking after the game, Garnacho commented: “Our season was s***. We didn’t beat anyone in the league. We lacked a lot of things. When you don’t score goals, you always need more.”
He continued: “Until we reached the final, I played every round. And I played 20 minutes today – I don’t know. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.”
Not one to hold back, having previously branded his squad as “one of the worst teams in the history of Manchester United”, Amorim addressed the comments in training, in front of Garnacho’s teammates.
Speaking about his future at the club publicly in the session, Amorim commented “you better pray that you can find a club to sign you”.
Since then, the youngsters behaviour on the post-season tour of Asia has sparked controversy, with Garnacho showing a middle finger to fans and dramatically yawning when signing shirts.
Another incentive to sell the star is the club’s financial struggles, with more pressure than ever to generate funds and cut costs.
As such, selling Garnacho as a product of the club’s youth academy would constitute as pure profit under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) going ever further to easy the club’s pressures and help with new signings.
Wanting to fully make the most of the situation, United have slapped a £70 million price tag on the winger, however their desperation to sell him might have done some damage to the power they hold in negotiations.
With Garnacho’s time at United seemingly at an end, notably down to the youngsters ego rather than his talent, we take a look at what the next steps of the impressive winger could look like.
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We take a look at the options Alejandro Garnacho has open ahead of next season with his time at Manchester United seemingly at an end.
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
A move to Serie A with Napoli
Antonio Conte Napoli
Image Credits: Getty Images
The front-runners for some time now have been Napoli, with Antonio Conte being a long-term fan of Alejandro Garnacho.
Back in the winter transfer window, Napoli were desperate to find a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, their star winger who moved to PSG for £60 million.
As such, Conte turned his focus solely to Garnacho, seeing the youngster as a natural replacement for the Georgian winger.
With their aim to land Garnacho’s signature, Napoli submitted an initial £40 million bid for the Argentina international, which was rejected by The Red Devils.
As part of negotiations, United lowered their asking price from £70 million to £60 million, however Napoli still refused to meet the valuation.
Eventually, despite agreeing terms with Garnacho to a move, the deal broke down, however Napoli’s interest remained.
Unfortunately for The Red Devils, new reports from Italy suggest the Serie A champions are no longer interested in pursuing Garnacho.
That said, it’s hard to believe that a long term pursuit would be completely off when United are even more determined to sell him than when he agreed terms to leave in January.
A move to Napoli could be a strong step for all parties, with Garnacho fitting into the void left by Kvaratskhelia in his role as a natural winger, alongside former teammate Scott McTominay who’s thriving in Italy.
For Napoli, they’d be gaining an extremely talented winger at the start of his career, whilst United can offload their wantaway without any risk of facing him on a regular basis.
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Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
Reuniting with Erik ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen
Erik ten Hag Bayer Leverkusen
Image Credits Getty Images
Manchester United’s former manager Erik ten Hag has been appointed as Xabi Alonso’s successor at Bayer Leverkusen, with the Bundesliga side desperately scouring the transfer market.
The German giants are looking set to head into next season without their talisman Florian Wirtz as the attacking midfielder is on his way to join Liverpool at Anfield.
However, his departure leaves a gap in the Leverkusen side, which ten Hag is now looking to Alejandro Garnacho to help fill.
Ten Hag was the manager to give Garnacho a chance at Old Trafford, seeing him quickly establish himself as a starting player for The Red Devils.
Now, a reunion could be on the cards, to see Garnacho continue on the next stage of his career under the Dutchman once more.
Similarly to Napoli’s interest in Garnacho, a move abroad would help United avoid playing him in the Premier League, risking his talent coming back to bite them.
However, it’s being reported that United’s price tag may be too high for the German giants to agree to. Time will tell whether Leverkusen do advance on the enquiries they’ve already made, however Garnacho certainly has the creativity to help fill the gap left by Wirtz.
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We take a look at the options Alejandro Garnacho has open ahead of next season with his time at Manchester United seemingly at an end.
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
A homecoming to Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone Atletico Madrid
Image Credits: Getty Images
Another club being thrown into the mix is former side Atletico Madrid.
Alejandro Garnacho was a part of the Atletico youth academy before joining Manchester United in 2020 at 16 years old.
Due to his age at the time of his move, Garnacho is regarded as a product of the United academy, however the Spanish side does offer an element of ‘what could have been’.
Diego Simeone has been managing the club since 2011, offering significant stability at the club, having been in charge during Garnacho youth days at the LaLiga side.
With the Spanish outfit lacking quality on the wings, Garnacho could slot in on the left side, playing his natural role, linking up with fellow countrymen Julian Alvarez and Angel Correa as a front three.
Once more, a sale to the Spanish side would provide limited risk to The Red Devils with regards to competitions where they might line-up against their talented youngster.
Ruben Amorim Manchester United Tyler Dibling
Ruben Amorim Manchester United Tyler Dibling
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur
Hansi Flick Barcelona
Hansi Flick Barcelona
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
Heading to London to join Chelsea
Enzo Maresca Chelsea
Image Credits: Getty Images
A closer to home option for Alejandro Garnacho is London-based side Chelsea.
Similarly to Napoli, Chelsea’s interest dates back to the winter transfer window, when The Blues were looking for a range of options to sign the talented winger.
Whilst looking at a straight signing, Chelsea also considered a player-swap deal including Christopher Nkunku, offering the striker to sold United’s issues up front.
However, nothing materialised at the time, with Chelsea circling back round now and enquiring about his availability.
The Blues have made the decision to pay the £5 million penalty clause to send Jadon Sancho back to Old Trafford, and with Mykhaylo Mudryk still out with a drugs ban, the London side are desperately in need of a left winger.
As such, Garnacho could fit into his natural position on the left wing, a move which would surely be a last resort for United, opting first and foremost to sell him abroad to avoid any chance of him doing damage to their Premier League performances.
Already there are significant reports around players performing better after leaving United, with the likes of Scott McTominay, Mason Greenwood and Antony finding their form away from United.
The last thing United need after their recent fall from grace would be one of their former talents routinely contributing to goals against them.
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We take a look at the options Alejandro Garnacho has open ahead of next season with his time at Manchester United seemingly at an end.
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
Winning back his place under Ruben Amorim to stay at Old Trafford
Alejandro Garnacho and Ruben Amorim
Image Credits: Getty Images
Finally a stay at Old Trafford isn’t entirely off of the cards.
Admittedly this is the most unlikely of the outcomes we can see for Alejandro Garnacho given the extent of his breakdown with Ruben Amorim.
However, with his contract set to expire in 2028, he could still have three more years at the club if no transfer can be agreed.
If the youngster can show growth and maturity, he could win back the respect of the fans and his manager alike.
Whilst Garnacho doesn’t naturally fit with Amorim’s system, his ability to adapt to a more central role, scoring four goals and grabbing six assists under the Portuguese manager shows he has the ability to remain with The Red Devils.
For Garnacho this would require significant maturity from the 20-year-old, needing to set his ego aside and accept that not all of the manager’s decision will go his way.
However, if he’s unable to do so, it’s likely that the Argentinian won’t even have a seat on the bench under Amorim, having seen the Portuguese manager already do the same with Marcus Rashford.
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Ruben Amorim Manchester United Tyler Dibling
Ruben Amorim Manchester United Tyler Dibling
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur
Hansi Flick Barcelona
Hansi Flick Barcelona
Alejandro Garnacho after FC Twente
Image Credits: Getty Images
What will happen next for Alejandro Garnacho?
Alejandro Garnacho
Image Credits: Imago Images
With the mounting financial pressures of the club, Alejandro Garnacho and Ruben Amorim’s breakdown in relationship and the significant interest from Europe, it’s hard to believe that the winger won’t be leaving Old Trafford this summer.
A £70 million sale of Garnacho would single-handedly cover the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, with their second bid valuing £60 million, or allow for a push to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.
As such, selling him off to someone like Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid, would bring huge financial benefit to United, as well as a major impact on the pitch if the funds are used towards Mbeumo or Gyokeres.
Comparing this to the risk of retaining him and his recent behaviour continuing or increasing in place of seeing him regain the trust and respect of Amorim to retain his role in the squad, it seems to be in the best interest of all involved to see the winger leave Old Trafford for pastures new.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur