Amorim’s decision could backfire: La Liga giants establish interest in Utd’s ‘most productive’ outcast star

Ruben Amorim laid down the law at Manchester United on Sunday by omitting two of the side’s top goalscorers, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, from his squad for the Manchester derby.

All in all, it was the correct decision without question. No player should feel like they’re guaranteed a place in the squad irrespective of how they fare in training or recent games.

Both Rashford and Garnacho had been substandard as of late, and while there may have been other factors that contributed to Amorim’s choice, he sent a message to the whole squad – perform well or risk being left behind.

Numerous reports have already suggested that Rashford is seeing out what could well be his final months as a United player after joining the club at the age of seven. It’s always been a tricky situation with him as, despite being a homegrown academy product, he doesn’t have the same backing from the fans that you’d perhaps expect.

Whether his exit will come to fruition either mid-season or in the summer remains to be seen. He has four years remaining on his contract following the five-year extension he signed in 2023, but his £325,000-a-week wages are likely to deter any potential suitors.

Spanish giants on red-alert after Garnacho omission 

As for his younger counterpart, Garnacho’s absence over the weekend seemingly caught the eye of his former club, Atletico Madrid.

The Madrid-born Argentine has been linked with a return to Spain ever since his breakthrough into United’s first-team. He joined the club from Atletico’s academy for just £420,000 in 2020, which has since proven to be a stellar piece of business from the scouts.

Fichajes states the La Liga giants have been alerted to the possibility of reuniting with their old prospect amid claims Garnacho does not fit into Amorim’s newly implemented tactical changes.

Regardless of his recent struggles, United may come to rue selling the 20-year-old if a deal materialised. He was dubbed the side’s ‘most productive forward’ last month after he notched eight goals and four assists in only 1,331 minutes on the pitch (StatmanDave).

Alejandro Garnacho this season:

🔘 1,331 minutes played

🔘 8 goals

🔘 4 assists

🔘 111 minutes per G/A

Man Utd’s most productive forward at 20 years old. Get behind him. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/InKH87ypZJ

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 28, 2024