Why Manchester United Could Face Issues If They Decide to Sell Alejandro Garnacho

The fallout from Manchester United’s tumultuous season has revealed that Alejandro Garnacho has found himself in a similar predicament as Marcus Rashford did under the watchful eye of coach Ruben Amorim.

Amorim has a specific vision for how he wants his wingers to perform, and it appears that both Garnacho and Rashford have not met the high expectations he has set.

Garnacho’s public criticism of his manager didn’t help his cause either, and at just 20 years of age, he likely recognised the consequences of his comments.

Amorim’s well-documented reaction – advising Garnacho to seek a new club in front of his teammates – has raised eyebrows, especially with a £70m price tag that might deter interested buyers.

During his time with the United first team over the past three seasons, Garnacho has netted 23 goals and provided 15 assists across 115 matches, 73 of which were as a starter.

While a goals-to-games ratio of approximately one in five isn’t disastrous, there’s certainly room for improvement.

One aspect that has flown under the radar is his passing accuracy, which has peaked at an impressive 90.8% over the last couple of years, while he has also created a commendable 116 chances.

Additionally, the Argentinian has reclaimed possession on 309 instances and made 47 interceptions, indicating that he certainly deserves a spot in United’s starting lineup.

If Garnacho were to secure a move during the ongoing transfer window, it’s possible that Amorim’s firm approach might backfire.

Garnacho Attracts Many Suitors

While Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen were thought to be keen on acquiring him, it is believed that the player would prefer staying in the Premier League, which has piqued the interest of clubs such as Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea – the latter recently returning Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford.

Villa, having enjoyed Rashford’s contributions at the end of last season, would find it logical to pursue a player like Garnacho, who excels at outpacing defenders and can perform effectively on both flanks.

In Tottenham’s case, with Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson already established as right-wingers, there’s a compelling argument for Garnacho as a potential long-term successor to Son Heung-min.

The future of the 32-year-old Son remains uncertain, with speculation rife regarding whether he’ll depart this summer or the next. It’s evident that Son’s tenure in north London is nearing its conclusion.

New manager Thomas Frank needs a significant impact in the transfer market, and securing Garnacho would undoubtedly grab the attention of the entire Premier League.

Furthermore, Tottenham’s qualification for next season’s Champions League is likely to influence negotiations as well.

Could Garnacho Replace Former Teammate Rashford at Villa?

Considering that Leon Bailey and Donyell Malen have secured the right-sided positions at Villa, Garnacho would be a fitting replacement for his former United teammate Rashford.

Rashford’s statistics from the latter half of the 2024/25 season showed he amassed four goals and three assists in just 13 appearances across competitions, a commendable rate of one in three, which demonstrated his potential to shine under Amorim – and perhaps rekindle his self-belief.

Rashford’s impressive 88.3% pass completion rate during that period is comparable to Garnacho’s performance, while he also managed a commendable 70% tackle success rate, reflecting a tenacity that seems to have diminished for Garnacho at United.

If Villa had managed to secure a Champions League spot, it’s likely that Rashford would still be fulfilling a role under Unai Emery, and the club would hardly consider signing Garnacho.

Chelsea’s Interest in Garnacho is Questionable

Chelsea are perennially active in the transfer market, and this summer will be no different.

Since 2020, the Blues have invested €803m in strikers and wingers, and with players like Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke already on board, plus the imminent arrival of Estevao Willian, one must question why they’d pursue Garnacho when cohesion seems to be missing from their recruitment strategy.

While Madueke’s nine goal contributions from 36 matches last season were respectable, it may not be enough for a club with ambitions of silverware.

He compensated for any lack in attack through solid defensive contributions, successfully tackling 21 out of 27 attempts. His exceptional 92.9% pass completion rate in the 24/25 season is also worth mentioning.

A move for Garnacho, therefore, appears illogical, and unless the Old Trafford powers that be are willing to adjust their asking price, it’s possible United will find themselves with a player who is unhappy and unwanted.