Why Amorim could be making a huge mistake by allowing Garnacho to leave Manchester United

Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim talks with Alejandro Garnacho during the match vs Ipswich Town
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim talks with Alejandro Garnacho during the match vs Ipswich TownČTK / AP / Dave Shopland
With less than a month to go until the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, transfer market action for many teams including Manchester United should start to ramp up over the next two to three weeks.

​Marcus Rashford's protracted move elsewhere has finally been sealed with the England international going on a season-long loan to Barcelona.

And he isn't the only Red Devils winger that Ruben Amorim apparently told to go and find a new club.

Garnacho gets Old Trafford faithful on their feet

Under Erik ten Hag, young Alejandro Garnacho appeared to be the one player that would get the Old Trafford faithful off their feet when in possession of the football.

A hush would descend as the ball arrived at his feet before that tribal roar kicked in as United's supporters urged him goalwards.

Some spectacular finishes, perhaps none more so than his incredible bicycle kick at Everton, quickly endeared him to supporters and teammates alike; however, there's clearly something about Garnacho that irks his manager.

As is his manner, Amorim will tell it as it is, leaving no one in any doubt as to his intentions.

Ruben Amorim isn't Sir Alex

Whilst it's a refreshing change to have a manager being able to manage without any interference from elsewhere - Sir Alex Ferguson did just that for more than a quarter of a century - there does seem to be a situation developing under the Portuguese where he'll cut his nose off to spite his face if it means getting things exactly how he wants them.

It's not clear if the situation has arisen because of a disciplinary matter, a lack of willingness and desire on the player's part or if Amorim genuinely doesn't picture him in a United team of the future.

The latter scenario would be hardest to believe given that the wide man already has a healthy 21 goals and 13 assists in 104 United games.

Alejandro Garnacho Radar Chart 2024/25
Alejandro Garnacho Radar Chart 2024/25Opta by Stats Perform

Taking into account that only Rashford (40 goals, 13 assists) and Bruno Fernandes (40 goals, 36 assists) had more of an output than the Argentinian in the same time frame since he's been at the club, pushing Garnacho out of the door might not be the best course of action from Amorim.

Perhaps the problem isn't necessarily of the player's own doing and it's more of a formational issue.

Four wingers in total told to move elsewhere

That's certainly a conclusion that could be drawn, as aside from Garnacho and Rashford, two more wingers - Jadon Sancho and Antony - have also been told they're surplus to requirements.

With reports suggesting that United have slashed their asking price from £70m to £40m too, the desperation for Amorim to rid himself of Garnacho is obvious.

There hasn't been nearly enough effort made by the board on incoming transfers though, and that complicates matters somewhat.

Aside from two 18-year-olds in Diego Leon and Enzo Kana-Biyik, the sum total of United's transfer business this summer is the captures of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo

With respect, they're both hardly the type of signings to put opponents on red alert from the get-go.

Garnacho's numbers remain high

At 21 years of age, Garnacho has an entire career ahead of him, and there's no ceiling to what he will do in the game at present. The world is literally his footballing oyster.

With a shot accuracy as high as 66.7% last season and the ability to beat his full-back at will, the youngster has always been a threat. The way in which opposition defenders back off is the clearest sign of the respect shown to him because, frankly, Garnacho's direct running scares them half to death.

Alejandro Garnacho Attacking Carries in the Premier League 2024/25
Alejandro Garnacho Attacking Carries in the Premier League 2024/25Opta by Stats Perform

A pass completion range that's only once dipped under 80 per cent in the last three seasons places him firmly in the pack at the Red Devils, and though he might not be the best, he certainly isn't the worst passer at the club either.

It's true that he does tend to lose more duels than he wins, and that's likely to inform Amorim's thinking; however, a winger is generally not noted for their defensive excellence but for their ability to go inside and outside their nearest markers, and to both score and assist - all of which Garnacho has done at the Theatre of Dreams with relative aplomb.

Best xG at Man United

An xG of 9.11 places him at the top of the tree for that metric, with Bruno Fernandes' 8.93 only beefed up to 11. 30 thanks to taking penalties into account.

One, therefore, can't help but think that a clash of personalities is to blame in this instance. 

Fergie thrived on the same, but the difference between one of the best to manage in the English game and Amorim is that Fergie enjoyed the consistent success that allowed him to make such decisions.

Unfortunately for the Portuguese, the jury is still very much out.

Jason Pettigrove
Jason PettigroveFlashscore