- The 20-year-old was sensationally dropped from the squad to face Man City
- Garnacho’s form has dipped somewhat at points during the 2024-25 season
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! The reason why Pep Guardiola would walk from Manchester City
Alejandro Garnacho is being watched by Atletico Madrid amid uncertainty over his role under new manager Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, according to reports.
The Argentine forward – along with fellow Carrington graduate Marcus Rashford – was one of two major Red Devils stars dropped ahead of the must-win Manchester derby on Sunday by the head coach.
Amorim’s decision ultimately paid dividends when Man United stole a march on their crisis-hit neighbours Man City and swiped all three points at the Etihad.
It was another rising star, Amad Diallo, whose extra-time goal helped get the visitors over the line as they ran out the 2-1 winners.
Captain Bruno Fernandes had first levelled the scoreline late on after Josko Gvardiol had put Pep Guardiola‘s side ahead in the second half.
But should Garnacho not find his way back into Amorim’s plans, another European giant could yet make a move for the 20-year-old.
Alejandro Garnacho was sensationally dropped ahead of Man United’s derby clash with City
New head coach Ruben Amorim’s cutthroat decision to bench multiple stars paid dividends
Atletico Madrid’s head coach Diego Simeone could yet welcome the forward back to Spain
As per the Sun, Diego Simeone’s side have been alerted to a potential shift at Old Trafford after the weekend’s derby snub, and could be interested in keeping an eye on unfolding developments.
Garnacho featured in the Spanish capital as a youngster, spending five years as part of Atletico’s academy before his move to Carrington four years ago.
But rather than write off his players’ chances of making it back into the squad, Amorim was keen to stress that his decision had not been a permanent one.
The Portuguese manager explained his thinking after the match – but warned that all aspects of his players’ performance and attitude were facts in making it into his starting XI.
‘It is important to say why. It was not a disciplinary thing – next week, next game, new life,’ he explained.
‘They are fighting for the places but for me, it’s important for me the performance in training, the performance in game, the way you dress, the way you eat, the way you engage with the team-mates, the way you push your team-mates.
‘Everything is important in our context in the beginning of changing a lot of things, when people in our club are losing their jobs, we have to put the standards really high.
‘For that, they have to fight for the place in the team and today the team proved that we can leave anyone outside the squad. You can manage to win if we play together.’
