Alejandro Garnacho is open to leaving Manchester United and could make a sensational return to Atletico Madrid, according to a shock report.
The 20-year-old was poached from Atletico’s academy for just £400,000 in July 2022, and with the Argentinian winger said to be “frustrated” under Ruben Amorim he is open to heading back to Spain.
This is according to TBR Football, who claim that “there is a feeling of uncertainty” around Garnacho, whose standing in the squad has slipped somewhat since Amorim’s arrival.
The youngster was previously thought to be untouchable amidst United’s plans for wholesale changes in the squad, but reports yesterday claimed that he – and Kobbie Mainoo – would be allowed to leave should an appropriate offer arrive.
With Chelsea said to be sniffing around Mainoo, Garnacho is thought to be on the radar of his previous club.
TBR Football say that “Atletico Madrid remain very interested in signing Garnacho and are keeping a close eye on his situation.”
The report claims that “the Argentine is frustrated with life under Ruben Amorim so far”, and points to “question marks over whether he fits into his 3-4-3 tactical setup.”
The Portuguese boss has spent much of his time since arriving at Old Trafford rotating his squad to see who works best in which position, and Garnacho has been a casualty of this approach.
The winger’s last start came in United’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest, and he was not included in the squad for the following game – the Manchester derby.
Since then, he has featured sparingly from the bench, and made a positive contribution to United’s impressive 2-2 draw against Liverpool at the weekend.
TBR Football report that the player is “rated highly by both the former Sporting CP boss as well as the Manchester United hierarchy.” However, they add that “neither party will stand in the youngster’s way if he wishes to leave United.”
Garnacho is under contract at Old Trafford until 2028, after signing an extension in April 2023.
This means he would not come cheap, and the report notes that his potential sale “would massively benefit” United, as he counts as a homegrown player whose departure “would be accounted as pure profit.”
It would be gravely concerning if United, supposedly in the midst of building a squad for the long-term, part ways with one of its most promising youngsters.
While sometimes frustrating, Garnacho’s record of 23 goals and 13 assists in 115 games is impressive for a 20-year-old, and his potential is gigantic.
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Joe Ponting
Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried.
