Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho has joined an elite list of young stars and could eventually end up making the Red Devils millions if he is ever sold. Garnacho has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough under Erik ten Hag, becoming one of the highlights of a below-par campaign.
The Argentine has earned regular first-team minutes over the last year. He first caught the eye of Ten Hag with his match-winning performance in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final, just days after the Dutchman’s appointment had been finalised.
Since then, Garnacho has become a key player in Ten Hag’s senior side, scoring five goals in 39 appearances for the United boss. The 19-year-old could now be set to earn the Red Devils a huge sum if he is ever sold.
Garnacho has joined an elite list of stars on the football data site transfermarkt. The former Atletico Madrid prospect is one of the Premier League teenagers who gained the most value in 2023.
His valuation on the site is currently £21.73million, a huge £17.38m rise on what he was worth this time last year. Only Brighton striker and reported United target Evan Ferguson has seen his value soar more.
It reflects Garnacho’s seismic rise over the last 12 months. Having initially struggled to earn the trust of Ten Hag, he finally earned more game time with the first-team just before the World Cup break in the winter of 2022.
He struck a late winner in a Premier League clash with Fulham before domestic football halted for the tournament in Qatar. He bagged four further strikes last term and was unfortunate to have a goal ruled out for a tight offside against Arsenal earlier this month.
Garnacho has enjoyed a positive start to the season but was strangely left on the bench for United’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Saturday night. Ten Hag explained that the youngster was not called upon as the Red Devils needed to keep their ‘organisation’.
“He (Garnacho) was in against Munich and I thought our team was playing very well,” Ten Hag said, “so I wouldn’t change that tonight because this game was a demand to keep that organisation. That’s why I wouldn’t change.
“I saw the players were still capable and the fitness levels were good and the energy was still there, it was only 1-0. I wouldn’t change that because I also know that Burnley in one moment and in this moment where everything is against us – we have seen again a disallowed goal.
“I don’t want to say if it is the right decision or wrong decision, but again there was a moment that was not on our side. I wanted to avoid that and keep this team on because they did well.”
