Youngster Alejandro Garnacho has insisted that he is ‘very happy’ with life at Manchester United amid ongoing reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The 18-year-old, who scored a dramatic winner in United’s 2-1 win over Fulham in their last competitive fixture before the World Cup, is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford, resulting in Madrid reportedly being interested in his signature. Garnacho is considered as one of the most promising youngsters in world football and is generating plenty of attention.
After finding opportunities hard to come by at the start of the season under Erik ten Hag, Garnacho forced his way into the Dutchman’s plans in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. He has made eight appearances for the Reds this term, scoring two goals and registering two assists.
Garnacho, who could be in line to start next Wednesday evening’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie with Burnley at Old Trafford, is under contract at United until the summer of 2024 with the option of an additional year at the Reds’ discretion. Nevertheless, he is continuing to be heavily linked with a move to Madrid, who are regularly linked with snapping up the most exciting youngsters who are not short on potential.
“I am doing very well now,” said Garnacho, speaking in a video shared on United’s YouTube channel. “With the support of my family, who is living here with me, I’m very happy.”
Garnacho, who made a real name for himself at youth level for United last season, scoring seven goals in six matches to help the club win the FA Youth Cup for the first time since 2011, started three of the Reds’ last six matches in all competitions in the run up to the start of the World Cup. He netted two goals and grabbed two assists in that period, meaning he is in a strong position to nail down his place in Ten Hag’s plans moving forward.
Although Garnacho is attracting plenty of attention and focus at this moment in time, Ten Hag, following the youngster’s late winner at Fulham last month, addressed the importance of him remaining grounded and refusing to get carried away.
The United manager said: “There is still for him a long way to go. He has to keep his feet on the ground, the whole team now but him especially.
“He has to do much more to impress because he will be recognisable for everyone. So it’s much more important that to confirm it and big players know that, young players don’t know.
“For now it’s a four-week break and that’s already a danger for him because he is now in the momentum and that’s good, it’s a good thing this season and let’s see how he comes back. We have to manage that with him, but his energy is good and I am certain he will have an impact.”
United are understood to be relaxed over his future at the club and are not currently concerned by Madrid’s reported interest.