Alejandro Garnacho will leave Manchester United this summer following a decision made by the club. Despite the player’s unacceptable behavior, he is not solely to blame for the regrettable end to his time at Old Trafford.
The youngster has evolved into one of the stars of the club since his first team debut three years ago, making over 140 appearances in that time.
Even in the chaos that clings to Manchester United, his performances was one of the few standouts. With 21 goal involvements across all competitions, only Bruno Fernandes stands taller. But strip it to open play, per 90, and Garnacho edges ahead.
However, talent and good performances isn’t just enough to make it at the top level, the right attitude has to be employed. Something that has seized to be the case in the Theater of dreams in more than a decade, and core reason of their endless turmoils.
The Argentine, still living by what he learned within the club’s walls, seems unaware of how far the new management is willing to go to put a stop to it. Perhaps he now realizes it — but a little too late. His case will serve as a lesson to others who may not yet see the shift underway.
“This season has been crap. We didn’t beat anyone in the league. Said a frustrated Garnacho after the loss in Bilbao. I’ve played every round until the final. But I only get to play 20 minutes.”
His statement came off as immature, something that cannot be overlooked in a serious institution. Understandably, he was hurt by the defeat, but for every action, there must be a reaction. Now, he’ll have to convince himself that the interview was worth risking his Manchester United career.
The 20-year-old has been informed to find a new club this summer following a meeting held by the club’s hierarchy after the Europa League final defeat, a meeting that also confirmed Ruben Amorim will remain the team’s sheriff.
How unfortunate!
From starring in the Academy and inspiring the class of 22 to the FA Youth Cup glory, to selling dreams with the first team, Alejandro Garnacho will leave the club before even turning 21.
The youngster was tipped to become the face of the club as he represented the badge with so much passion, a kid fulfilling their long-term dream while playing alongside the players them modeled. Everything was set for him, but now it’s all in the past, even before ever getting to take off.
Not all of Manchester United fans saw him lit up Old Trafford by scoring a brace to help the Academy beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the FA Youth Cup final in 2022, but they all saw the promise he hold in his early months with the first team.
Priceless was how they celebrated his winner against Fulham, a goal that mirrors one scored by Cristiano Ronaldo against the Cottagers in 2007, both late, both match-winners, both at Craven Cottage.
Introduced in the final quarter-hour as United laboured for a winner. Garnacho, only 18 at the time, scored a memorable solo effort in the third minute of added time, sending the away end into raptures.
Those who were still tell it, relive the the moment he fired past Bernd Leno in their heads, and those who had no narrators to relay watch the highlights. The red side of Manchester have a new hero, one they believed could carry the future.
However, things have not been plain sailing for either Manchester United or Garnacho, but in their most important wins during this period, the young Argentine is rarely far from the headlines, and for the right reasons.
His performance in the Emirates FA Cup final win over their city rivals in 2024 is still fresh in memory. Garnacho scored the opener and played a technical part in the second to deliver the club’s 13th Cup title.
That memory will now go down as the climax of his time at the club. Yet, at that time, teammates, coaches, pundits, fans and even rival fans had thought he was just getting started. After all he was just 19.
Guilty By What Is | Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho arrived at a broken Manchester United. His introduction to the first team came during one of the lowest points in the club’s modern history.
He entered a dressing room full of rebellion — players emboldened by a manager stripped of confidence, worn down by relentless pressure and poor results. Those Garnacho looked up to as mentors had their own episodes. Some departed, others stayed and continued to throw tantrums in turn.
Even those who left ended up thriving elsewhere, a fact that does not credit the leaders at United, but instead discredits their efforts. That success only fuels the rebellious ones still within the system.
‘If we go elsewhere, we’ll shine brighter, and be more appreciated.’ thoughts many of them will nurture.
While they may not be entirely wrong, the players haven’t earned what they get at Manchester United, only spoiled by a system that keeps stooping lower, just to make them feel elevated.
Ahead of the Europa League final, the club promised a 40 percent wage increase if the players won. Imagine that, a bonus just to do the job they’re already paid to do. Their primary assignment. How many clubs operate like that?
Alejandro Garnacho | Always Had It Coming
Alejandro Garnacho has always shown signs of trouble. He had been involved in several questionable activities on social media, including engaging with posts that criticized his managers and teammates.
Before deactivating his X account at the turn of the year, the 20-year-old frequently liked posts targeting figures within the club.
He has apologized multiple times for such behavior, only to repeat the same actions, or worse. In the past, the consequences were lenient, but this time, the club is courageous enough make a permanent decision.
Every unacceptable act by the players can be traced back to the culture fostered by the club. And if the situation isn’t permanently fixed, there will be more Garnachos after this Garnacho, because the likes of Garnacho is what the system grooms.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
