Alejandro Garnacho may be the latest in a growing list of players who have seemingly found themselves on the wrong side of management at Manchester United — and who, like many before him, could be next to flourish after leaving the club.
The drama began when Ruben Amorim, United’s new boss, quickly asserted his authority after Garnacho questioned the coach’s selection for the Europa League Final against Tottenham Hotspur.
What followed was a shocking series of events that now has Garnacho reportedly being told to “pray” for a transfer out.
Garnacho’s Fallout with Ruben Amorim
Happier days – Alejandro Garnacho kissing the Manchester United badge.
Alejandro Garnacho publicly questions Ruben Amorim.
Garnacho openly criticized Amorim’s decision-making after the Europa League final loss to Spurs.
Garnacho’s brother joins the conversation.
Even his brother voiced displeasure, saying Amorim had made the wrong call.
Ruben Amorim tells Garnacho to “pray” he finds a new club.
The coach didn’t take kindly to being questioned. According to reports, he told Garnacho to find a new team — a statement that underlined his power in the dressing room.
Were There Signs All Along?
Were there signs in the past?
This isn’t Garnacho’s first clash with authority. Under Erik ten Hag, he liked a social media post criticizing the then-manager — leading many to wonder if the winger struggles with boundaries.
🔗 Mirror UK article on Garnacho and Ten Hag
Ruben Amorim now reportedly finds having Garnacho in the squad “comical.
This is surprising given that Garnacho made 36 Premier League appearances for United in the 2024/25 season. But is Garnacho’s downfall just another chapter in a pattern the club keeps repeating?
Let’s look at the long list of stars who left Manchester United and either regained form or found new happiness elsewhere.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – “Rebuild Everything”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner warned Ten Hag that Manchester United needed to rebuild everything. He was right. United had one of their worst seasons ever in 2024/25.
2024/25 – A season to forget for Manchester United.
Meanwhile, even at 40, Ronaldo is still winning on the global stage.
2. David de Gea – A Mistake United Regret?
Nemanja Matic: Onana is the worst goalkeeper in Manchester United history.
De Gea left after United refused to renew his contract. He joined Fiorentina, helped them secure a top-six finish, and earned a new three-year deal.
Meanwhile, Andre Onana — signed as his replacement — has underperformed drastically.
- Onana made more errors leading to goals than any other PL keeper (Opta).
🔗 Opta Stats - Goals conceded per game:
- Onana: 1.48
- De Gea: 1.08
- Schmeichel: 0.82
- Van Der Sar: 0.76
🔗 Transfermarkt report
De Gea left for free – and now United are paying the price.
Some fans regret letting De Gea leave.
3. Scott McTominay – MVP of Serie A
No space for Serie A’s best midfielder in Man United team, really?
United sold Scott McTominay due to EPL’s PSR rules, yet he went on to become Serie A’s MVP in his debut season at Napoli.
- At United: 19 goals in 178 games
- At Napoli (24/25): 12 goals in 34 matches
- 208 duels won, only behind Yerry Mina
- 117 touches in the opposition box, second to Pulisic
Nemanja Matic saw this coming.
Jose Mourinho: McTominay is one of Europe’s best midfielders.
Solskjaer: “How you can sell Scott is beyond me.”
4. Aaron Wan-Bissaka – West Ham’s Star Performer
7th in Premier League for completed take-ons (Squawka).
Wan-Bissaka left United with 2 assists and no goals, but at West Ham in 24/25, he delivered:
- 2 goals
- 5 assists
Wan-Bissaka had a better season than Diogo Dalot.
Named West Ham’s Player of the Season.
5. Anthony Elanga – Flourishing at Forest
Elanga started life strongly at Nottingham Forest.
- At United: 3 goals in 39 games
- At Forest:
- Year 1: 5 goals, 9 assists (36 apps)
- Year 2: 6 goals, 11 assists (38 apps)
Elanga Outperformed Garnacho in 2024/25.
6. Antony – Reborn at Real Betis
- At United (24/25): 8 appearances, 0 goals
- At Real Betis (La Liga): 17 apps, 5 goals, 2 assists
- In the Conference Cup: 4 goals and 3 assists in 9 games
7. Marcus Rashford – Fresh Start at Aston Villa
- Last United season: 15 apps, 4 goals, 1 assist
- At Aston Villa (EPL): 10 apps, 2 goals, 3 assists
8. Jadon Sancho – Playing Again at Chelsea
- At United (23/24): 3 apps, 0 goals, 0 assists
- At Chelsea (loan):
- EPL: 31 apps, 3 goals, 5 assists
- Conference Cup: 8 apps, 2 goals, 5 assists
Final Thoughts: Who’s Really the Problem?
From Cristiano Ronaldo to David de Gea, McTominay, Elanga, and now possibly Alejandro Garnacho, it’s becoming harder to believe these are just isolated incidents.
Is the real problem the players? Or is something deeply broken at Manchester United?
As Garnacho contemplates a future away from Old Trafford, football fans might be asking the same question Ronaldo asked years ago:
“Does this club know what it’s doing anymore?”
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