Chelsea are stepping up their efforts to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Man United ahead of the transfer window closing.
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.
Alejandro Garnacho walks past the Europa League trophy.
Alejandro Garnacho is expected to leave Manchester United before the end of the window.
(Image: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images.)
Ahead of last summer's transfer window, Alejandro Garnacho was one of only four players Manchester United deemed untouchable.
United planned for mass changes ahead of the 2024 summer window - the first under Ineos' stewardship - and they were prepared to listen to offers for everyone within the squad except for Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo, Rasmus Hojlund and Garnacho.
Onana and Hojlund had arrived at Old Trafford the previous summer and Mainoo and Garnacho had established themselves as first-team regulars after coming through United's academy system.
Now, just 12 months on, Garnacho has no future at Old Trafford and is running out of time to seal an exit. He has not featured in pre-season and has been relegated to the 'bomb squad' alongside Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Antony.
Garnacho last played for United when they beat Hong Kong 3-1 in their post-season tour on May 30. His last competitive appearance came via the bench in the Europa League final just over a week earlier.
Furious he had been left out of the starting line-up for the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Garnacho used his post-match interaction with the media to let everyone know of his feelings.
"Obviously it’s hard for everyone," he said, reflecting on United's 2024/25 struggles. "Our season was s**t. We didn't beat anyone in the league. We lacked a lot of things. When you don’t score goals, you always need more.
"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."
Previously guilty of criticising former United manager Erik ten Hag for substituting him during a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in April last year, Garnacho also had to pay for a team meal by way of an apology for walking down the tunnel in response to being substituted against Ipswich Town at Old Trafford in February.
Alejandro Garnacho walks along the Old Trafford touchline.
Alejandro Garnacho has put his nose out of joint once too often.
Garnacho has developed an inflated sense of entitlement and has let himself down once too often. His activity on social media has also made headlines once too often.
As talented as he is, United are, as has been well documented, better off rid of him. Reports of Chelsea stepping up their efforts to take him off United's hands are a blessing.
Just like fellow wingers Marcus Rashford, who has already left Old Trafford this summer, joining Barcelona on a season-long loan deal, Sancho and Antony, Garnacho has no place in Ruben Amorim's plans.
The United head coach wasted no time in transforming United's style of play last November by switching to a wingerless 3-4-2-1 formation. Of the five wingers United had on their books at the start of last season, only Amad remains part of Amorim's plans.
Criticised for not making the most of the seller's market in recent years, United have to cash-in on Garnacho before the window closes on September 1. There is literally no point in retaining a player that doesn't fit the coach's system and doesn't want to be at the club.
Despite his attitude issues, Garnacho is a fantastic player with enormous potential. You don't make almost 150 appearances for United before celebrating your 21st birthday without having plenty of talent in the locker.
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates after scoring for Manchester United away at Leicester City.
Alejandro Garnacho has a high ceiling.
On a personal note, Garnacho enjoyed a productive season last term, scoring 11 goals and registering ten assists in all competitions. It was an impressive haul given he had to adapt to a new formation less than three months into the season, meaning his stock is currently high.
After being left out of the squad for the Manchester derby win over City at the Etihad Stadium in December, he fought his way back into the team and remained a regular starter. However, his comments after the defeat to Spurs in Bilbao marked the end of the road.
He has put his nose out of joint once too often, and it is a shame considering how talented he is with a ball at his feet.
However, United are at a juncture where they need to get a deal thrashed out before the deadline, get some much-needed cash in the bank and move on. With Amorim still in the process of transforming the culture and creating a team tailor-made for his vision, United will be the biggest winners of getting Garnacho off the books.