Garnacho 'close' to new Man Utd contract

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 27 Jan 2023 07:12 GMT
• 3 min read

Alejandro Garnacho is close to signing a new contract with Manchester United after his dazzling breakout performances in recent months.

The 18-year-old has been a revelation since emerging into first team contention in November, grabbing two goals and four assists in 15 appearances across all competitions.

Garnacho’s most recent cameo saw him grab the assist for Marcus Rashford’s winner in the Manchester derby and the Argentine youngster is now set to be rewarded for his impact.

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As FootballTransfers exclusively revealed, United are relaxed over speculation linking Garnacho to Real Madrid and insist the player is not for sale, with the club looking to move quickly to tie down the teenage superstar.

The forward’s current deal is set to expire in 2024 but United have the option to extend for a further year, however they are in advanced discussions with Garnacho over a new and improved long-term contract.

United are optimistic the situation will be resolved soon and have issued a ‘hands-off’ warning to interested suitors.

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United aiming to learn from past mistakes

The Telegraph report that United are looking to strike a balance between rewarding Garnacho for his progression at the club while also avoiding a repeat of the situation they faced with former prodigy Adnan Januzaj.

Januzaj had a similar breakout at United in 2013 and was promptly handed a lucrative five-year contract to ward off interest from other clubs in the then 18-year-old.

However, the decision ultimately failed to pay off for United, with Januzaj’s initial form fading as he struggled to live up to expectations at Old Trafford.

Januzaj was eventually sold for £9m in 2017 after unsuccessful loan spells at Dortmund and Sunderland and United feel there are valuable lessons to be learned from the disappointing experience.

The club and Erik ten Hag have been wary about giving Garnacho too much too soon and want to offer him a fair contract that also provides an incentive and hunger to improve.

Garnacho had been punished during United’s pre-season tour after poor timekeeping and Ten Hag had been vocal about instilling the focus and discipline required to succeed at the club into the youngster.

Asked how much improvement he had seen in Garnacho’s attitude and all round performance, the manager said: “A lot. He has a skill that I don’t see many players in the Premier League having - he beats players one on one.

“But he’s learnt in the last months about how to play in a team, how to live, how to do the right things in the week, how to have the right attitude on the training ground and you see how he’s acting as a team player and with his individual skills that can make the difference.

“Also for him it’s to keep going in the process. It’s not done. There is a lot to come. There is a lot of room for improvement with him but he can help, he can contribute on the highest level already and I’m really happy.”