New Delhi: In football, it doesn’t take too long for things to go wrong for a player at any club. Alejandro Garnacho is a prime example. The Argentinian winger was tipped to be United’s future flagbearer after he enjoyed a stellar breakthrough season under former manager Erik Ten Hag. He did consolidate his progress and soon became a vital cog in United’s attack, but things quickly went downhill for Grancho under current United manager Ruben Amorim.
What once seemed like the start of another promising career for an academy graduate at Manchester United soon turned into a nightmare for both club and the player. Despite his talent, skills, and guile, Garnacho’s off-field antics and attitude issues remained a significant problem as his relationship with Amorim soured, ultimately leading to his exit from United.
Garnacho completed a move to United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea on Saturday in a deal worth 40 million pounds and a sell-on clause. The 21-year-old’s sale marks United’s second-highest profit in a transfer since they sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009 for 80 million pounds, a record transfer fee for any player at the time.
But how did United’s blue-eyed boy, one of their own, end up moving to a rival club at the age of just 21, despite enjoying a dream start to his career? Garnacho was arguably one of the most talented forwards to have come up from United’s famed academy in recent times, but talent alone can only take you so far. To be successful at a club like United, it takes a lot, and Garnacho’s off-field behaviour didn’t help his case.
How Garnacho fell out with Amorim at Manchester United?
It all started after Ruben Amorim took charge of Manchester United in November last year. Stubborn with his tactics and formation, Amorim started his reign at United sticking to the philosophy that earned his success at his former club Sporting. Amorim’s style didn’t suit Garnacho, who is a winger and naturally a wide player.
With the role of wingers reduced in Amorim’s system, Garnacho was accommodated in a more central role, which didn’t work for the Argentinian as he failed to make an impact in matches regularly. The change in his position also resulted in reduced efforts from Garnacho in training, which was publicly addressed by Amorim after he dropped the 21-year-old, along with Marcus Rashford, from United’s squad against Manchester City in December last year.
However, Garnacho managed to win back the manager’s trust immediately by upping his intensity in training and was back in the squad after being dropped for only one game. But not playing in his preferred position under Amorim added to Garnacho’s frustrations, and United’s overall poor run of results didn’t help.
Garnacho was heavily linked with an exit from United in the January transfer window as the likes of Napoli and Chelsea made enquiries about the winger. However, their approaches were turned down by United, who valued their academy star. For a while, it also seemed Garnacho’s relationship with Amorim had improved. But not for too long.
The boiling point between the duo was reached after Garnacho’s controversial post-match comments following United’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. Garnacho questioned his exclusion from the starting XI for the final and also cast doubt about his future at the club, suggesting anything could happen in the summer transfer window.
Garnacho’s brother Roberto, also didn’t help his cause as he posted a raging post on Instagram, tearing into the United manager for not playing Garnacho from the start in the Europa League final. Garnacho’s off-field behaviour and his brother’s regular comments about selection matters at the club also contributed to Amorim’s frustrations.
Post the Europa League final defeat, Amorim reportedly made it clear to the United squad that Garnacho had no future at the club. The United manager threw a warning to the 21-year-old, telling him that he should “pray” that some club manages to sign him in the summer transfer window. As it turns out, Garnacho is no longer a United player and will begin a new stint at Chelsea.
What next for Garnacho at Chelsea?
Garnacho made 144 appearances for United across competitions after making his debut in April 2022 and scored 27 goals for the club. A promising young talent, Garnacho has the flair, skills and the work rate off the ball required to shine at any big club. However, he will have to sort out his off-field behaviour and ensure little family interference in club matters if he has to realise his potential at Chelsea.