Manchester United are near securing a spot within the Europa League final 16, however questions stay over whether or not Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford will nonetheless be a part of the squad for the knockout phases.
After United’s dramatic 2-1 win over Rangers at Previous Trafford, head coach Ruben Amorim admitted he wasn’t positive what would occur earlier than the switch window closes on 3 February.
Hypothesis has surrounded a number of United gamers, together with Brazilian winger Antony, who has been linked with a mortgage transfer to Spanish membership Actual Betis, and Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia, who’s seeking to rebuild his profession after a string of accidents.
Nonetheless, it’s Garnacho and Rashford who’re inflicting essentially the most concern.
Whereas Rashford has been absent from the squad since United’s final Europa League match towards Viktoria Plzen on 12 December, Garnacho began for the third time in 4 video games and got here near scoring twice—his first aim since 28 November.
There was speak of promoting Garnacho to assist fund potential transfers for gamers higher suited to Amorim’s system, quite than attempting to slot in gamers introduced in by earlier managers.
“They aren’t different supervisor’s gamers, now they’re my gamers,” Amorim stated. “Earlier than doing something, now we have to consider what introduced us to this case. We’ve to be actually clear on every little thing.”
He added, “I don’t know what’s going to occur. Till the window is closed, something can occur.”
Garnacho’s Significance and Rumours of a £60m Bid
Each Chelsea and Napoli are reportedly concerned about 20-year-old Garnacho, with Chelsea believed to have made a bid of round £60 million. United, nevertheless, haven’t confirmed any bid and are remaining tight-lipped on the matter.
The membership has admitted their funds are below strain and have warned followers they might breach revenue and sustainability guidelines except prices are reduce. Promoting a homegrown participant like Garnacho would create extra monetary flexibility.
Nonetheless, such a transfer would possible upset United followers, a lot of whom cheered for Garnacho through the Rangers win, chanting his title all through the match.
“Let’s see within the subsequent days,” stated Amorim. “He’s a Manchester United participant and was actually essential for us in the present day. He’s enhancing in each facet of the sport, and he has the potential to be a lot better.”
Signed from Atletico Madrid in 2020, Garnacho has made 118 first-team appearances for United, scoring 23 objectives. This season alone, he has netted eight objectives in 32 appearances. With United’s subsequent residence match towards Crystal Palace falling simply earlier than the switch window closes, there’s hypothesis that Garnacho could possibly be saying his goodbyes at Previous Trafford.
Former United participant Rio Ferdinand advised TNT Sports activities: “The followers love him. He will get you on the sting of your seat. I don’t assume Garnacho could be the one pushing for a transfer, however Amorim’s system doesn’t play to his strengths as an out-and-out winger, and that could possibly be why they could contemplate promoting.”
What’s Subsequent for Marcus Rashford?
The state of affairs surrounding Marcus Rashford appears clearer. Regardless of coaching totally on Wednesday, he was once more absent from the matchday squad, persevering with a development that stretches again to his final look towards Viktoria Plzen on 12 December.
Sources near Rashford insist that the 27-year-old is keen to play for United once more, with no points between him and Amorim.
Studies counsel a possible transfer to AC Milan is off the desk as a result of arrival of Kyle Walker, because the Italian membership can solely signal one English participant this month. A mortgage transfer to Barcelona additionally appears unlikely except a few gamers depart the Spanish membership.
If Rashford continues to be at Previous Trafford when the switch window closes, his future is unsure. Nonetheless, Ferdinand believes Amorim doesn’t need him within the squad.
“The membership wish to get him out, you’ll be able to see that,” Ferdinand stated. “He wants a recent begin at a brand new membership. That might be finest for each events. When he first broke by way of, he was at all times smiling, residing the dream. I haven’t seen these feelings shortly.”
