Manchester United may have signed off with victory at home to Aston Villa on the Premier League’s final day, although much of the talk is still centred around the fallout of Wednesday’s Europa League final disappointment.
From Luke Shaw’s depressingly downbeat post-match interview, to Bruno Fernandes’ admission that he could be sold, there was certainly plenty to unpack, not least regarding the future of Alejandro Garnacho.
Speaking after his late introduction as a substitute in the showpiece, the Argentine outlined his frustration at having started on the bench in place of Mason Mount, with Ruben Amorim adding fuel to the fire by pointing out the “big opportunity” that Garnacho had missed in the semi-final second-leg against Athletic Club.
After fighting his way back in Amorim’s plans, following his imposed exile – alongside Marcus Rashford – from the Manchester Derby back in December, that seemingly strained relationship appears to have finally cracked.
The latest on Garnacho's future at Man Utd
And so, Wednesday may well have been the last time Garnacho will be seen in a United shirt, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein breaking the news on Saturday that the 20-year-old has been told he can leave the club this summer. The youngster was then left out of Sunday’s clash with Villa.
That bombshell story follows reports in January that had linked the former Atletico Madrid starlet with a move to rivals Chelsea, with Scott McTominay’s Napoli also said to have made a bid during the winter window.
Despite ending the campaign with 21 goals and assists to his name in all competitions – a record bettered only by Fernandes among Amorim’s squad – an exit again looks to be on the cards ahead of next season.
Recent reports have indicated that United are keen to rake in around £60m-£70m for a player whom they reportedly signed for just £420k back in the summer of 2020, with last year’s FA Cup final goalscorer potentially a casualty of the club’s need to comply with PSR regulations.
If Amorim and INEOS deem that sale to be the best course of action, then so be it. Although, as The Telegraph’s James Ducker has suggested, the club must certainly be sure that they are able to bring in an actual upgrade to replace him.
Man Utd's search to replace Garnacho
After the days of scouring the Netherlands for new additions during Erik ten Hag’s ill-fated tenure, there does look to be a change in tact under the new regime, with the Old Trafford hierarchy hoping to raid the Premier League for ready-made solutions.
Indeed, recent weeks have seen United linked with players like Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, while Ipswich Town starlet Liam Delap also appears high on the agenda.
First and foremost, however, the end to the season could bring about a speedy move for Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, with reports indicating that the Red Devils are now closing in on a deal for the Brazilian.
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The suggestion from journalist Ben Jacobs is that United are now set to hold talks with Wolves over the 25-year-old’s this week as they look to trigger his £62.5m release clause.
Jacobs further reveals that personal terms have been agreed for a five-year contract.
Why Cunha will be perfect for Amorim
While United may have been undone by a soft, scrappy goal in Bilbao, that narrow 1-0 defeat highlighted the club’s particular woes at the other end of the pitch, having drawn a blank for the 16th time this season.
Aside from Rasmus Hojlund’s header, which was acrobatically cleared off the line by Micky van de Ven, the Red Devils had little to shout about in the showpiece, with Amorim’s attacking unit looking distinctly underpar.
One man who did at least inject a sense of urgency in the first half was Amad Diallo, with the twinkle-toed Ivorian notably flashing an effort across the box early on, having largely looked like United’s only outlet down that right flank.
While the 22-year-old was ultimately unable to drag United over the line, he has no doubt enjoyed a real breakthrough campaign in 2024/25, having rounded things off with 20 goal involvements in total, following his header against the Villans.
As Amorim suggested back in December, Amad is the “kind of player that we need in the team”, with the same seemingly true of Cunha. Indeed, the pair are noted as statistically similar players among those in their position in the Premier League this season, as per FBref.
Goals
0.35
0.54
Assists
0.30
0.22
G + A
0.65
0.75
Shot-creating actions
4.63
4.55
Successful take-ons
47.1
44.8
Progressive passes
2.84
5.02
Progressive carries
5.22
3.87
Tackles
1.79
1.29
Interceptions
0.55
0.61
That likeness between the two forwards – both of whom have typically operated as the number ten in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation – is notably seen in their dribbling prowess, with the two men boasting a similar record with regard to successful take-ons per 90.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Equally, as indicated above, both Cunha and Amad boast an impressive average with regard to providing a goal and assist per 90, while also enjoying a similar return with regard to shot-creating actions per 90. In essence, there is a high chance of an opportunity being created in the final third when they get on the ball.
With the left-footed Amad posing a real threat down the right flank, the right-footed Wolves star could then offer the same spark on the opposite side, having showcased his credentials with 42 goals and assists in just 82 Premier League games for the Old Gold.
As Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley suggested, the £90k-per-week maverick would be “an amazing signing for a club in United’s position”, with such a deal potentially the catalyst for brighter things in Manchester next season.
Of course, losing a talent like Garnacho would be a blow, although if the Amad-like incoming can replicate what he has shown at Molineux, then such a sale might well swiftly be forgotten.
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1 ByAngus Sinclair May 24, 2025