Amorim arrived in November to take the helm at Manchester United and ever since, Alejandro Garnacho had a difficult time coping with the manager’s preferred 3-4-3 system. It looks like Garnacho’s turbulent spell at Manchester United appears set to end this summer, with Atletico Madrid agreeing personal terms for a shock £42 million deal to bring the Argentine winger back to Spain, Fichajes reports. The 20 year old, once tipped as United’s next breakout star, has fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim, sparking a dramatic U-turn toward his former club.
From La Fabrica to Carrington and Back
Garnacho joined Atletico’s academy in 2015 before United poached him for a mere £420,000 in 2020. His rise at Old Trafford was meteoric: 128 appearances, 23 goals, and 16 assists since his 2022 debut. But this season, stagnation struck. Deployed as a No. 10 in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, Garnacho managed just three Premier League goals and one assist in 26 games. An eight-game scoring drought since November and public clashes with Amorim, including lack of commitment in training and apparently storming off after substitution against Ipswich, sealed his fate.
The Amorim Factor
Amorim’s tactical gameplay has left little room for Garnacho’s explosive wing play, who prefers taking the ball on and bursting into defenders. Amorim’s tight system prioritizes defensive wing-backs over traditional wingers, forcing Garnacho into unfamiliar central roles. Despite eight goals and seven assists across all competitions, he remains awkward in the system. To add more fuel to the transfer will be United’s difficult financial position. Selling homegrown stars like Garnacho counts as pure profit under Profit and Sustainability Rules, offering a £42 million lifeline to fund Amorim’s rebuild.
Diego Simeone sees Garnacho as a thriving piece in Atletico’s 4-4-2 setup, something any traditional winger will enjoy. The Argentine boss plans to pair him with compatriot Julian Alvarez, using Garnacho’s pace and dribbling to revitalize Atletico’s left flank. Personal terms are already agreed, per Fichajes, with the deal seen as a “strategic move” to reclaim a talent they once nurtured. For Garnacho, it’s a chance to reboot his career under Simeone’s guidance while reconnecting with his Madrid roots.
United aren’t actively pushing Garnacho out, but Amorim’s reluctance to guarantee minutes forced their hand. The £42 million fee, 10 times their initial investment, softens the blow, funding future targets in the summer. However, losing a 20-year-old star kid that the Academy nurtured and broke into the first team will be a big blow to United and risks backlash from fans.
Garnacho’s departure reports signals a broader emigration from United. Kobbie Mainoo is reportedly not signing a new contract while Marcus Rashford, Antony and Malacia are expected to leave after their loan spells end. Lindelof and Eriksen are also expected to leave after their contracts end in the summer, leaving little room for United’s already thin squad.
As Garnacho packs his bags, United face a pivotal summer. Who will be the incomings in the summer?