The next Ronaldo? Garnacho is closer to being the new Rashford at Man Utd

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 12 Dec 2024 19:53 GMT
• 4 min read

The performances of Marcus Rashford have caused his Manchester United future to come into question but there is perhaps another forward who may find his days numbered at Old Trafford.

Rashford is reportedly available for transfer as United battle PSR restrictions, with the 27-year-old’s inconsistent displays and off-the-field professionalism causing the club to run out of patience with their top earner.

Having scored just seven times last season in all competitions, Rashford has already matched that tally this year, including three goals in his last two Premier League starts and is the club’s top scorer.

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But that is perhaps testament to how poor United’s forwards have been on a whole, with only four teams scoring less goals than the Red Devils in the Premier League this season.

In particular, United rank amongst the lowest in the league for dribbles per game, with one player in particular posing an alarming reason for the drop off.

Alejandro Garnacho has completed just eight of his 37 dribble attempts this season and his 21.6% success rate is the worst of any player in the league and the pressure is on the 20-year-old to live up to his promise or join Rashford on the chopping block.

Garnacho following in the footsteps of Rashford at United

United consider Garnacho ‘untouchable’ given the potential the youngster has shown since his emergence into the first team, however he has yet to build on the promise from his first full season at the club where he was considered by some fans as the new Cristiano Ronaldo.

Only Bruno Fernandes and Rashford have played more minutes in attack than Garnacho and, while the Argentine has three Premier League goals and one assist, he has often proven wasteful and frustrating on the ball.

Garnacho has also had more shots this season than any of his teammates aside from Fernandes, while United have the most percentage of shots in the Premier League from the left side where he usually plays.

Yet despite seeing a lot of the ball, Garnacho has caused frustration with teammates and fans by either failing to dribble past his man or shooting from a poor angle on the off chance that he does complete his take on.

Current ETV

Alejandro Garnacho

F (L), M (RL)

Man Utd

Alejandro Garnacho

F (L), M (RL)

Man Utd

€37.1M

ETV Range

€27.8M - €46.4M

View full profile

With his contract set to expire in 2028, United will not write off a young talent who they believe can become a world-class superstar, particularly with his failures likely being down to immaturity rather than a lack of ability.

But, having seen Rashford fail to consistently build upon his early promise, United will be aware that they do not want to repeat their errors and not cash in on a player at the peak of his value.

United will be aware that progress isn’t linear but, if Garnacho is considered an untouchable first team player, he will have to be held to the standards of one or risk becoming another talent who failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford.