Manchester United whizz-kid Alejandro Garnacho could make the club millions in the long run after joining an elite group of up-and-coming talents.
When the Red Devils paid Atletico Madrid £420,000 to sign the prodigious forward in October 2020, few could’ve thought the teenager would be knocking on the first-team door only two years later.
After impressing Erik ten Hag with his superb performance in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final, only days after the Dutchman’s appointment, the 19-year-old has earned regular first-team football at Old Trafford.
The winger has amassed 39 senior appearances for Man United over the past year, netting five goals en route to developing into one of the hottest prospects in world football, let alone the Premier League.
Garnacho’s rise to stardom hasn’t only made him a valuable asset for Ten Hag. It has also contributed to a substantial increase in the youngster’s market value.
According to the renowned Transfermarkt website, the Argentine’s valuation currently sits at £21.73 million. That is a significant rise of £17.38m compared to his value from a year ago.
By contrast, Brighton & Hove Albion teenage sensation Evan Ferguson is the only Premier League talent to have experienced a more staggering surge in value in the same period.
Garnacho’s fairytale under Ten Hag began with a stoppage-time winner at Fulham on the stroke of the 2022 World Cup break.
He has since found the back of the net four more times, although he has yet to find a breakthrough in 2023/24.
Millimetres separated the versatile forward from getting off the mark against Arsenal as VAR found him a fraction offside after he scored what would’ve probably been a late winner.
Unfortunately, Man United finished that game on the receiving end of a 3-1 scoreline. But Garnacho showed a glimpse of his burgeoning talent with an eye-catching solo run and a poacher’s finish.
Despite the highly-rated youngster making significant strides in his early career, he surprisingly remained on the bench as United squeaked past Burnley 1-0 at the weekend.
He could return to the starting line-up on Tuesday when Ten Hag’s men lock horns with Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace in the League Cup third round.
With Antony facing criminal charges in his homeland and Jadon Sancho falling out of favour with the Dutch manager, Garnacho could have an even more prominent role this season.
One thing is safe – Man Utd won’t consider selling Garnacho anytime soon, regardless of a seismic rise in his market value.
