As Alejandro Garnacho is currently finding out, life for a Manchester United academy graduate isn’t always plain sailing. As quickly as a new star can be born, there are those ready to tear them down again.
Just under three years ago, the Argentina international announced himself to the Old Trafford faithful after netting a brace in front of a bumper 60k crowd in the FA Youth Cup win over Nottingham Forest, with supporters itching to see the then-teenager afforded increased game time at senior level.
Despite an initial bumpy ride under Erik ten Hag amid concerns over his attitude, Garnacho swiftly forced his way into the first-team picture with notable goals away at Real Sociedad and Fulham, having ended 2022/23 with nine goals and assists to his name in all.
That was followed by the fleet-footed winger cementing his status as a regular starter last term, with that rise to prominence culminating in him scoring the opener in May’s FA Cup final triumph over rivals Manchester City.
A further nine goals have followed this time around, albeit with the 20-year-old having scored just twice since Ruben Amorim took charge, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst branding him ‘naive’ amid his erratic, profligate display away at Nottingham Forest in midweek.
With speculation still linking Garnacho with an exit, it could be the case that the Spain-born starlet is in need of a way to kickstart his career – much like a certain Jesse Lingard was able to do at West Ham United.
Jesse Lingard's brief career revival
If Garnacho was a teen sensation, then Lingard was anything but, with the Englishman forced to play the waiting game at United amid a string of loan spells in the EFL, prior to making his mark on the first team.
Having been struck down by injury on the opening day of the 2014/15 season, it wasn’t until the following campaign that the promising forward truly made his mark under Louis van Gaal, notably mirroring Garnacho by scoring what proved to be the winner in the 2016 FA Cup final.
That was followed by a prominent role under Jose Mourinho over the next few years, with 2017/18 proving particularly impressive as he chalked up 14 goals and assists in 33 Premier League games for the Red Devils.
Unfortunately for Lingard, that momentum was halted amid Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s arrival, as he ended 2019 without scoring or assisting a single goal in the league, having subsequently been sent on loan to West Ham United in January 2021.
Away from the spotlight at Old Trafford, Lingard was a man reborn for the Hammers under ex-United boss, David Moyes, having gone on to register 13 goal involvements in just 16 games at the London Stadium.
Speaking at the time, teammate Declan Rice tipped his compatriot to stay put permanently in east London, having suggested that Lingard’s arrival had “changed our squad completely”.
Unfortunately for all concerned, a summer move could not be agreed upon – amid reports of the Red Devils demanding a £40m fee – with the long-serving star going on to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer at the end of the following season.
What that scenario showcased is not only the benefits of allowing a player to revive their career with a loan move, but also the need to strike while the iron is hot, with regard to cashing in. The new INEOS regime can’t make the same mistake with Marcus Rashford.
Man Utd's "reborn" star is now emulating Lingard
Academy graduates shining after exiting United has been the theme of the week, with Anthony Elanga stealing the headlines after netting a stunning winner against Amorim’s men on Tuesday night.
Speaking after that 1-0 defeat, Amorim hit back at suggestions that it was a mistake to allow the likes of Elanga – and now Rashford – to depart, having claimed that such players were given a fair “chance” in Manchester.
The Portuguese coach went on to add that a number of players appear to thrive away from the “pressure” of turning out in the red jersey, with Lingard’s loan at West Ham an obvious case in point.
Player
Current club
Market value
Kobbie Mainoo
Manchester United
£46m
Marcus Rashford
Aston Villa
£42m
Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United
£38m
Scott McTominay
Napoli
£34m
Mason Greenwood
Marseille
£29m
Anthony Elanga
Nottingham Forest
£29m
Dwight McNeil
Everton
£21m
Angel Gomes
Lille
£17m
Andreas Pereira
Fulham
£17m
James Garner
Everton
£17m
As the last week has highlighted, the same situation has occurred with regard to Rashford, with the 27-year-old – who had been exiled by Amorim since December’s Manchester Derby – having scored three times in the space of just a few days on loan at Aston Villa.
Having already registered four assists since joining Unai Emery’s side late in the winter window, the experienced forward broke his duck with a double against Preston North End in the FA Cup, prior to scoring away to Brighton on Wednesday evening.
That latest strike against the Seagulls was vintage Rashford, in truth, with the Villa number nine pouncing on a lofted pass over the top and racing in behind, before duly converting. As journalist Antonio Mango subsequently stated, the Englishman looks “reborn” in claret and blue.
With Amorim’s side having failed to score for the 11th time this season in league action just a day earlier, questions have been asked over the decision to let Rashford move on.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, however, with the Manchester native – who scored just eight times last term – having hardly pulled up any trees for 18 months prior to making this switch, having mirrored Lingard in appearing in desperate need of a fresh start.
With Rashford already outlining his desire for “a new challenge” back in December, this temporary move should mark the end of his Old Trafford association, particularly with Villa able to sign him on a £40m deal this summer.
Amorim and co must avoid a repeat of the Lingard scenario, in which the now-32-year-old was not allowed to fly the nest after his fruitful West Ham loan, having thus returned to bit-part status under Solskjaer.
A revitalised Rashford is a sight that warms the heart, but now is the time for the head to rule – he must go this summer.
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