Man Utd coach's Alejandro Garnacho comment speaks volumes as Ruben Amorim rages

Daily Mirror

29-05-2025

Alejandro Garnacho appears destined for the Manchester United exit this summer as a former coach's comments hint the player's attitude concerns perhaps aren't new
Worries over Alejandro Garnacho's attitude could land him a spot on the Manchester United departures list this summer. And one former Carrington coach appeared to hint at the South American's penchant for petulance years ago.
Murmurs have been building that Ruben Amorim is ready to sell Garnacho, who was dropped for United's final game of the season against Aston Villa. The Daily Mail reported that on the eve of that fixture, Amorim hung the 20-year-old out to dry in front of his team-mates and told him: "You better pray that you can find a club to sign you."
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Justin Cochrane was part of the academy setup when Garnacho helped guide United's under-18s to the FA Youth Cup crown in 2022. The Argentina international was named Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year in the same season, but his temperament perhaps didn't always match his on-field performance.
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Cochrane, who has since moved to become first-team coach at Brentford, stopped short of hanging his former protege out to dry. But even on the path to success three years ago, there were comments pointing to potential flaws in a then-17-year-old Garnacho's character.
Speaking to Goal in March 2022 about keeping the clearly talented winger grounded, Cochrane said: "I have a good relationship with Garnacho, and he knows that if he crosses the line, I'll come get him!"
The former QPR and Rotherham defender paralleled that comment by saying he and his staff were "pleased" with the player. But even then, talk diverted to ensuring the player's ego remained grounded, something one might not hear unless there were already concerns in that area.
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"My job and the staff's job is to keep players grounded and keep their eyes on the prize," added Cochrane. "Not just the youth prize, but the bigger prize of being in the first team and having a sustained career at a high level, so that's what we're focusing on with Garna."
Amorim isn't the first United boss to take issue with Garnacho's behaviour. The Madrid-born star was previously reprimanded by Erik ten Hag after he 'liked' social media posts critical of his half-time substitution in a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth last April.
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Ten Hag later said his player had apologised over the incident, suggesting they had moved on from the ordeal. However, Garnacho was later dropped by the Dutchman in September 2024, not long before he was fired, for once again liking posts critical of Ten Hag.
Given Cochrane's comments from 2022, it points to a pattern of behaviour most coaches would rather do without. And it appears Amorim has had the last straw, with the player seemingly free to leave if a suitable offer comes in.
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Napoli have been strongly linked with the player in recent transfer windows. However, that move could be in jeopardy amid reports Antonio Conte is prepared to leave the club after just one season, in which he secured the Serie A crown.
That could leave the Red Devils scrambling to find a suitor for the player willing to meet their valuation. And that list could only grow shorter if teams looking to invest are at all unsettled when it comes to Garnacho's personality.