Manchester United fans were rightly disappointed with the lack of transfer activity on deadline day given the club’s lack of firepower up front.
Ruben Amorim playing Kobbie Mainoo was a clear indicator that the coach did not have the most confidence in either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee.
With Marcus Rashford sent out on loan, Amorim needed the club to step up but saw deals for as many as three forwards collapse on the final day of the window.
While INEOS claimed the January window to be a success, it remains to be seen what the head coach has made of it given the team’s travails this term.
Garnacho stays
But one good thing to come out of the window was the fact that the Red Devils ended up keeping Alejandro Garnacho despite quite a bit of interest in his services.
Deemed unsellable not too long ago, the co-owners decided to put him up for sale owing to PSR concerns and Napoli and Chelsea were linked with the Argentine all throughout last month.
And The Manchester Evening News have claimed that if the Argentina international had been sold, things could have got even more toxic with the fanbase.
United fans are not used to seeing their best academy graduates being put up for sale and playing at Old Trafford could have become even more difficult for the team.
“Manchester United staff are relieved the club did not sell Alejandro Garnacho in the winter transfer window. United rejected an offer from Napoli and Chelsea expressed interest but the 20-year-old winger has remained at the club.
“Dressing room sources dreaded the prospect of Garnacho’s sale and believe it would have caused uproar among United supporters.
“A separate source also admitted it would have been impossible for the club to have framed the possible departure of Garnacho as a positive.”
Garnacho deserves credit
Credit also should go to Garnacho who might have thought his United career was fizzling out when Amorim came in and decided to drop him from the Manchester derby matchday squad.
Instead, he took his coach’s advice on board both with regards to on-field and off-field habits and has come out a stronger player.
Amorim has lavished praise on him in recent weeks with the coach making it clear to INEOS that he did not want Garnacho to be sold.
The improved relationship certainly helped keep the forward on-side during a difficult period and hopefully, fans can see the best from Garnacho in the weeks to come.
Amorim will need him a lot given the lack of attacking options at his disposal.
Feature image Paul Ellis via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
