According to former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt, winger Alejandro Garnacho has aspirations of moving to either Real Madrid or Barcelona. This comes amid significant changes at Old Trafford this season, with five new signings and several departures. Additionally, manager Erik ten Hag was replaced by Ruben Amorim earlier this week, following Ruud van Nistelrooy’s brief spell as interim boss.
Manchester United has struggled in the Premier League, currently sitting 13th with just four wins from their first 11 matches. Despite contributing 11 goals this season, Garnacho has faced occasional criticism. Bruno Fernandes revealed that Garnacho’s subdued celebration after scoring in a 3-0 win over Leicester City was due to the player feeling he had “lost the faith” of the United fans. Roy Keane also weighed in, saying Garnacho should “get a job somewhere else” following his lack of celebration.
Butt, reflecting on Garnacho’s future, suggested the 20-year-old might seek a move to La Liga giants Real Madrid or Barcelona. He explained on the Football’s Greatest podcast that although the Premier League is the top league, many of the world’s best players ultimately leave for Spain, as clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are seen as the pinnacle of a player’s career. Butt pointed out that players often leave the Premier League when they reach the next stage of their career, with Madrid and Barcelona offering a level of prestige and recognition not always found in England.
Butt further emphasized that Garnacho, as a young Argentine talent, could be tempted by the opportunity to shine at one of those clubs, where players often achieve global superstardom. While there is no indication that Garnacho is planning to leave Manchester United, Paul Scholes also acknowledged the pull of Real Madrid and Barcelona, describing any move there as a “sideways move” compared to joining other top clubs like Juventus or Bayern Munich. Scholes noted that many players are drawn to the idea of playing for the Spanish giants, as it’s seen as a dream move for many top footballers.
