Alejandro Garnacho has been told to leave Manchester United by head coach Ruben Amorim, talkSPORT understands.
The 20-year-old has spent five years at Old Trafford since first joining their academy from Atletico Madrid in October 2020.
Garnacho has since been a regular feature for the senior team but endured a tough season with 11 goals scored in 58 appearances.
United’s ability to rebuild this summer was damaged by their defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
Speaking post-match, Garnacho hinted at leaving, while his brother Roberto claimed he was ‘thrown under the bus’ after not starting.
And now head coach Amorim has told the Argentina international to seek a new opportunity ahead of the summer.
talkSPORT reported on Thursday that United will back Amorim in the summer transfer window.
He retains the confidence of the hierarchy despite the Europa League final defeat and their worst ever Premier League finish.
Garnacho has started 25 of his 40 matches under Amorim but is now seemingly surplus to requirements for the ex-Sporting boss.
The winger was even linked with an exit in January as Chelsea and eventual Serie A champions Napoli eyed a move.
talkSPORT reported towards the end of the winter window that Chelsea were ready to open talks for the player.
United set an asking price of £60-70million for Garnacho, although he remained at Old Trafford despite the interest.
talkSPORT verdict: Chief football correspondent Alex Crook
“Ruben Amorim has the backing of the Manchester United hierarchy. Amorim has now relayed that message to the players. He is staying, there is going to be a summer rebuild and Alejandro Garnacho won’t be part of that rebuild. He has been told he is free to find a new club.
“We know there is long standing interest from Chelsea, from Napoli and from Atletico Madrid over in Spain as well. I was told on Thursday morning Garnacho had one foot out the door at Old Trafford.
“I think that’s probably one foot and a few toes on the other foot now. It’s a sad end to his Manchester United career. He went on social media when he was left out the starting line up and put a pretty strong tweet on there of goals in cup finals he has scored.
“He then spoke in his native tongue after the game in the mixed zone where he suggested that he should have got more playing time because of the part he played in Manchester United getting to that European final. So he’ll be sold.”
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna also revealed that they were unable to agree a move due to the Argentine’s steep wage demands.
“Garnacho is a player that we like and we have liked. We discussed and met Garnacho even before Kvara [Khvicha Kvaratskhelia] left,” he said.
“We made an important offer to United, we got very close. The player wanted to leave the Premier League in January.
“Because in July it’s different, he wanted to be satisfied financially, something that we can’t do at the moment.”
talkSPORT understands up to seven players could be sold by United this summer, although Amorim remains desperate to keep captain Bruno Fernandes despite a £100m offer from Saudi Arabia.
The 30-year-old offered to leave the Red Devils this summer if they want to cash in, with a huge wage package being prepared by Al Hilal.
Who else could go?
talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook explains: “There is a big debate around the captain Fernandes with strong interest from Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal in particular.
“My information is that he’s been given a deadline at the end of next week to decide if he wants to make that big money move to Saudi and play for Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup.
“I think ideally Amorim would like to keep him, but they’re willing to pay £100mi for Fernandes and offer him huge wages as well, and I am told he and Harry Maguire in particular are very unhappy with the direction of travel at the top end of the club.”
Crook added: “But I don’t think they can afford to close Fernandes. I think Ruben Amorim would try and resist that, hence the fact they’re willing to cash in on Garnacho.
“Maybe Kobbie Mainoo as well – there’s an ongoing contract issue with him that’s not been resolved and he, too, was disappointed not to get more minutes on Wednesday. I think he’s questioning whether he really fits into Ruben Amorim’s system. So there are going to be departures.
“They’d love to sell Casimiro despite the fact he had a bit of a renaissance towards the end of the season, particularly in Europe.
“Victor Lindelof will be leaving on a free transfer. So will Jonny Evans. I think they’d rather raise funds from elsewhere and they are open to offers from Rasmus Hojlund as well.
“That’s no surprise, really, when you look at how poorly he’s finished the season, but how on earth are they going to get back anywhere near the £72m they spent on him?”
