Manchester United’s handling of Alejandro Garnacho has come under fire from Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, as the Italian club renews its push to sign the Argentine winger in a deal that could be worth around £45 million.
Garnacho, 20, endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign, struggling to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s tactical demands and slipping down the pecking order. A lack of clarity over his role in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system saw him deployed in unfamiliar positions, most notably as a No.10—an experiment that rarely paid off. Sources close to the club say his frustration grew behind the scenes, culminating in a brief, discontented cameo during the Europa League final that did little to repair his standing with the coaching staff.
United had already floated the idea of offloading Garnacho back in January, driven by Financial Fair Play pressures and the potential for a clean profit. Now, the situation appears to have reached a tipping point. Amorim has reportedly told Garnacho to find a new club, with several teams across Europe monitoring his availability.
Napoli, long-term admirers of the Argentina international, are back at the negotiating table. They were initially put off by United’s £60 million valuation, but now hope to secure a deal closer to £45 million. Speaking openly about Garnacho’s situation, De Laurentiis didn’t hold back in his criticism of United.
“Garnacho’s got pace, flair and potential,” De Laurentiis said. “But that’s not even why we want him. We want him because he’s at United. Get him out and he becomes twice the player. There’s a fault at United that I can’t explain.”
The Napoli chief’s blunt assessment echoes a wider concern about the development pathways under successive regimes at Old Trafford. While Garnacho broke into the first team with flashes of brilliance under Erik ten Hag, consistency and tactical fit have been elusive since Amorim took over.
According to The Mirror, talks between the two clubs remain active, with United aware that their initial price tag is unlikely to be met. Napoli’s ambitions for the winger are clear—they envision him as a key part of an evolving side that now includes Kevin De Bruyne, who arrived earlier this summer on a free transfer, and Scott McTominay, fresh off a career-best season in Serie A.
The allure of joining a revitalised Napoli, where attacking freedom is more readily afforded, could be decisive for Garnacho. A move might not just revive his career but could also expose the deeper issues still lingering in United’s player development structure.
As negotiations continue, United face a critical decision—not only about the future of one of their most talented young players but about the credibility of their long-term vision under Amorim.
