How Alejandro Garnacho went from 'untouchable' to left behind at Man United - and why Ruben Amorim moved on from a player so desperate to stay that he's still on 'Ten Hag time'
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Those inside Old Trafford three years ago on the night of the FA Youth Cup final all speak of being left in awe at the performance of Alejandro Garnacho. Skinnier then, only a boy, he won a penalty which he coolly slotted home and ran off to the corner to mimic Cristiano Ronaldo's 'siu' celebration. Later, he scampered free down the left, turned inside and out before taking five Nottingham Forest players out of the game to score and secure Youth Cup glory for United, their first title in 11 years.
![[Both Napoli and Chelsea are expected to make new bids with a couple of weeks left of the January transfer window]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/22/94367293-14309719-image-a-2_1737496898871.jpg)
It was a performance that underlined to fans and coaches alike that here was a player with superstar potential. United had, most thought, hit the jackpot. And that is one of the memories some are looking back to now; a memory tinged with sadness as talk of him leaving Manchester United this window intensifies.
![[Napoli manager Antonio Conte has spoken directly to Garnacho to tell him of his vision]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/22/94367337-14309719-image-a-3_1737496901442.jpg)
Napoli are eager to get him. Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has made that plain to the Italian side's hierarchy having lost star left winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for £59million to Paris Saint-Germain. Conte has already spoken to Garnacho directly to sell him on his vision to unlock his superstar potential.
![[United boss Ruben Amorim described Garnacho as having 'talent' but added that he 'needs to learn to play in a different position']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/22/94367571-14309719-image-a-5_1737497141163.jpg)
Chelsea are keen too and it was not lost on staff at United that Garnacho's agents Carlos Cambeiro and Quique De Lucas curiously posted on social media that they were in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Monday night for the Blues' win over Wolves. Both Napoli and Chelsea are expected to make new bids with a couple of weeks left of the transfer window.
![[Naturally a wide player, Amorim urged Garnacho to 'play better inside' in his 3-4-2-1 system]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/21/23/94370085-14309719-image-m-32_1737502135190.jpg)
