Sir Jim Ratcliffe selects ‘FACE of new Man Utd’

Carlo Garganese

• 10 Mar 2024 10:50 GMT
• 3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has earmarked wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho as the face of his new project at Manchester United.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Ratcliffe has been blown away by the quality of the Argentine winger - and fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo - and wants to build his project around them.

What did Romano say?

“Man United feel like they have a fantastic player on their hands — both for now and for the future,” Romano said on CaughtOffside.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

“They believe Garnacho still has lots of room for improvement and that his potential is huge.

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS view players like Garnacho, and also Kobbie Mainoo, as crucial parts of the club’s long-term project.”

The 19-year-old Garnacho has been one of the few bright lights of Erik ten Hag’s tenure at Manchester United.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

He was one of the breakout stars in the Premier League last season, making eight goal contributions from 10 starts and 29 appearances.

He had a string of memorable performances, including the winner against Real Sociedad in the Europa League which made him the youngest foreign player to ever score for Man Utd in European competition.

He also became delivered two assists as Man Utd beat Aston Villa 4-2 in the EFL Cup, which made him the youngest player to have two assists in a match for Man Utd.

Garnacho broke a string of records last season, and also starred in the Manchester derby, assisting Marcus Rashford’s winner in the 2-1 victory over Man City.

This season Garnacho has continued to impress, with seven goals and three assists in 28 starts in all competitions.

Garnacho was unplayable in the 3-0 win over West Ham last month, scoring two goals, while he also had a memorable performance with a brace in the 3-2 comeback victory versus Aston Villa.

These performances have convinced Ratcliffe to make Garnacho the face of the new Man Utd.

New Man Utd part-owner Ratcliffe has acquired a minority stake at United that has now been ratified, giving the INEOS owner control of the club’s transfer policy and recruitment.