As we approach the middle of January, many of the footballing headlines are about transfers.
Who might leave the club? Who could come in? Can such-and-such do a ‘job’ on loan between now and June?
The truth is, Manchester United may well have the answer to future success already in their squad.
Whatever happens to manager Erik ten Hag between now and next season, and whoever is eventually put in charge of the transfer strategy, one thing is abundantly clear: they must build the revolution around Alejandro Garnacho.
The academy graduate is everything United fans thought they were getting when they signed Antony from Ajax for £81.3m, in the summer of 2022.
If that’s a price marker, how much might Garnacho be worth in the future?
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During the 2-0 FA Cup victory at Wigan, we saw his full explosive repertoire, and the disturbing news for opponents, is that he’s starting to find a devastating end product that works alongside the already established trickery and flair.
Garnacho has the potential to become a United great – the issue is, do United and Ineos have enough about them to match his talent and ambition? We won’t have long to find out.
They’ll have to make their intentions clear over the coming months because there are already envious looks in Garnacho’s direction from some of Europe’s top Champions League clubs, who see a player not only for the now, but one that will excel and get better in the future.
Players like Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo should be the future of Manchester United and shouldn’t be allowed to leave, whatever the offer.
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Having joined at different times as youngsters, they’re a subtle nod to the traditions of United’s past, whilst also possessing the skill and presence to really make a mark in the modern game.
It hasn’t always been easy for Garnacho, who has had a couple of disciplinary issues on his path to being first-team regular.
But his focus appears sharper now, and his performances on the pitch are re-highlighting the fuss that surrounded him when he made his debut against Chelsea in April 2022.
Garnacho has also become Marcus Rashford’s biggest problem.
The Argentinian wizard is direct, tricky, poses a genuine goal threat, and is capable of dismantling the opposition defence at will.
At the moment, on the opposite flank and appearing mentally tired, Rashford seems to have lost his powers cutting a forlorn figure, miles away from the high standards he set last season.
It remains to be seen what will happen to Rashford, but Garnacho is quickly developing into United’s most dangerous attacking asset.
It’s also easy to forget that he’s only in his second season in the United side and his first campaign since signing a mega-money contract.
If he’s capable of being unbelievable, consistently, why not play him as often as possible, and shape the coming years around him?
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Why not indeed…
I’m sure it’s not escaped Ten Hag or the new 25 per cent owners who are tasked with restoring United to greatness.
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Alex Smith
