Manchester United have been shaken by reports of a serious rift between new manager Ruben Amorim and a senior player
The tension between Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and winger Alejandro Garnacho has now boiled over, with the 20-year-old Argentine looking set to depart Old Trafford. Reports emerging on July 1, 2025, indicate that Amorim branded Garnacho a “bad influence” within the squad, citing both his conduct and public actions as disruptive to team unity.
Things started to unravel following United’s Europa League final loss to Tottenham in May. Garnacho, visibly frustrated, described the season as “s**t” on social media and was subsequently dropped from the team. The situation escalated further when he posted a vacation photo wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on the back — a move Amorim interpreted as disrespectful. That led to Garnacho being fined and excluded from United’s pre-season tour.
Despite previous signs that Garnacho was maturing, particularly in early 2025, his more recent actions painted a different picture. His reluctance to fully embrace Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 tactical system also contributed to the breakdown. The manager, already focused on building a unified and disciplined squad, viewed Garnacho’s attitude as incompatible with the direction he’s taking the team.
With 11 goals and 10 assists in 58 appearances last season, Garnacho showed flashes of brilliance, including his famous bicycle kick against Everton that earned him the 2023 Puskás Award. Still, Amorim wasn’t swayed by moments of magic, instead prioritizing structure and discipline — an approach that also led to the exits of Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Antony.
Garnacho’s £50 million move to Arsenal reflects the broader transformation at United under Amorim. The club has already spent £358.5 million this summer to bring in major names like Harry Kane, Viktor Gyökeres, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego Leon. Garnacho’s departure helped finance that rebuild.
Fans are split. Some praise Amorim for taking a hard line on discipline, while others mourn the loss of a homegrown star to a direct rival. The fallout has also highlighted internal tensions, particularly regarding the club’s interest in Eberechi Eze — a move reportedly pursued without Amorim’s approval.
Now, as Garnacho prepares to start a new chapter under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, Manchester United are focused on integrating their new signings and maintaining a squad aligned with Amorim’s vision. While the situation has eased financial pressure, it leaves lingering questions about whether Amorim’s uncompromising approach could create future friction — not just with players, but with the board as well.
