TERMS AGREED: Manchester United agree deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho’s replacement after his careless comment after Europa League final
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reportedly informed Alejandro Garnacho that he is free to find a new club this summer. And if the grand plans put in place by INEOS come to fruition, his spot in the squad will not be left vacant for long.
Garnacho was hailed as the club’s next big star when he graduated from academy prospect to first-team regular in 2022. His numbers have improved with each season, and he has scored 11 in all competitions this term despite United struggling as a collective. But complaints about his lack of game time in the Europa League final may have been the final straw for Amorim, who is reportedly prepared to swing the axe.
According to The Athletic, Amorim put it in black and white in front of the whole dressing room that Garnacho is free to leave. Some United fans may see it as a risky move, given that the 20-year-old has been a semi-reliable source of goals in a season which has seen United lack bite at the top end of the pitch.
But Amorim could be willing to throw caution to the wind because he knows a replacement is on the way. As an orthodox wide player, Garnacho is not a natural fit in the former Sporting manager’s 3-4-3 system, which features two narrow No.10s behind the striker.
He has played primarily on the left, where Matheus Cunha is being lined up as the starter for next season. Sky Sports have reported that a deal for the Brazilian international is ‘almost agreed’.
Some feared that United’s Europa League final defeat, and consequent failure to qualify for the Champions League, would scupper their pursuit of Cunha. But the Wolves forward is still believed to be intent on heading to Old Trafford.
And United chiefs are planning to trigger his £62.5million release clause once the transfer window opens. Cunha, 25, has scored 15 Premier League goals this season – more than twice as many as the Red Devils’ top scorer, Bruno Fernandes.
Garnacho is seemingly destined for the Old Trafford exit door, with Chelsea and Napoli among those to show an interest in January, and he may not be the only forward player on the chopping block.
Rasmus Hojlund is also on the brink after a second underwhelming Premier League campaign, with INEOS pushing to sign striker Liam Delap, who has a £30m release clause written into his Ipswich Town contract.
