BREAKING NEWS: An unexpected incident occurred during Manchester United’s press conference involving Alejandro Garnacho.

Three years have passed since a touching milestone for Alejandro Garnacho and his family, who watched with pride as the teenager made his first-team debut for Manchester United against Chelsea. Back then, the 17-year-old stepped onto the pitch at Old Trafford wearing the number 47 shirt, having already impressed then-interim boss Ralf Rangnick by guiding the youth side to the FA Youth Cup final. Just a couple of weeks later, he made a statement by scoring twice in that final against Nottingham Forest, sealing the trophy on the same turf where he made his debut.

Garnacho, who moved to Manchester during the height of the pandemic, has largely kept a low profile off the pitch. But after four and a half years at the club, he finally stepped into the spotlight during a recent press event at Carrington—an appearance that highlighted his growing importance to the team under Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim. While press duties typically involve the manager, all attention this time turned to Garnacho, a sign of his evolving role within the squad.

Back in January, uncertainty loomed over his future as Manchester United rejected a £40 million offer from Napoli, with Chelsea also eyeing the winger. Having started his career on the flanks at Atletico Madrid, Garnacho continued in that position at United, but Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation forced him to adapt. He admitted the tactical shift was difficult at first. His response to adversity, however, set him apart—especially when he was left out of the Manchester derby alongside Marcus Rashford due to concerns over their mindset. While Rashford hasn’t returned since that omission, Garnacho has not only bounced back but has been a fixture in the lineup, starting 13 straight matches with another likely on the horizon.

Amorim has praised Garnacho so frequently that he wasn’t even questioned about him during a recent press conference, despite the youngster sitting beside him. With United eyeing Matheus Cunha for the No. 10 role, Garnacho’s position could soon be challenged. Still, he’s already outshone competitors like Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Martial, and Anthony Elanga on the left wing.

Some within the club recall that Rashford struggled to accept criticism during the Mourinho era, but Garnacho has shown a willingness to face difficult moments head-on. He spoke candidly in a recent interview about the challenges of adapting mid-season under a new coach and tactical demands. Yet he emphasized his determination to improve daily and earn his place on merit.

As United prepared for their Europa League quarter-final against Lyon, Harry Maguire was chosen to accompany Amorim for the official press conference. Even so, Garnacho has gradually embraced more media responsibilities, conducting post-match interviews and even appearing alongside teammates like Kobbie Mainoo. According to club sources, Garnacho volunteered for his most recent media appearance, a sign of his maturity and desire to grow into a leadership role. With 140 appearances already to his name, his presence beside Amorim further reflects his rising stature within the squad.

Though known for mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic celebrations, Garnacho downplayed comparisons to the Portuguese legend. He’s just one goal short of matching Ronaldo’s goal tally over his first three seasons at United, but Garnacho is still only 20, with his 21st birthday approaching this July—possibly putting him ahead of where Ronaldo was at the same age. Nonetheless, Garnacho insisted his focus remains on helping the team and continuing to improve alongside teammates like Rasmus Hojlund.

In Bilbao last week, Garnacho’s family proudly watched from the executive box, each wearing a jersey with “Garnacho 17” printed on the back. Should he continue on this trajectory, a switch to United’s iconic number 7 shirt could be on the horizon—linking him to legends like George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

From his early days as a prodigious talent to his emergence as a key player, Garnacho’s journey has been inspiring. Last week’s quiet commemoration of his debut anniversary was more than a sentimental moment—it was a powerful reminder of a young star blossoming into one of Manchester United’s most vital players.