From Prodigy to Pressure: Garnacho’s Path to Redemption at Manchester United

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has faced significant scrutiny this season, with concerns about his performance and attitude amid the team’s struggles. Despite a promising start, his form has dipped, prompting calls for improvement to fulfill his potential.

Manager Erik ten Hag has emphasized the need for Garnacho to enhance his decision-making and tactical awareness. Ten Hag stated, “Making decisions, being aware, scanning situations, when to go one-on-one, get behind, when to go for goal or make an extra pass… that is the difference between a good player and a top player” . He also highlighted the importance of Garnacho’s attitude and lifestyle choices in determining his progression within the team.

Garnacho’s finishing has been a point of concern. In a match against Chelsea, he missed several clear-cut chances, drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo’s early days at Old Trafford. BBC Sport noted that while Garnacho is United’s highest goalscorer this season with six goals, he should have scored more, indicating room for improvement in his finishing abilities.

Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, previously criticized Garnacho’s attitude, stating that he didn’t get his chances earlier because he was “not good enough in training and not good enough mentality-wise.” However, Fernandes acknowledged that Garnacho has since improved his training and attitude, earning more opportunities.

Reports suggest that Garnacho has taken steps to address these concerns by requesting a personalized gym program to build muscle mass, working with a nutritionist, and taking English lessons to integrate better with the team. Additionally, teammate Lisandro Martinez has taken on a mentorship role to guide the young winger.

Under manager Ruben Amorim’s system, Garnacho has struggled to find his place, leading to speculation about his future at the club. Manchester United is reportedly considering selling Garnacho to fund other transfers, with Atletico Madrid showing interest . Despite these challenges, Garnacho’s talent is evident, and with continued development and the right guidance, he has the potential to become a key player for United.​