Bruno Fernandes sent a clear warning to two of Manchester United’s young stars amid Alejandro Garnacho’s likely sale this summer.
Alejandro Garnacho is one of five Manchester United players who look set to depart from the club this summer after Rúben Amorim deemed him surplus to requirements.
United’s first-team players are reporting to Carrington for pre-season training this week, with those like Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount already back in Manchester, while many of United’s other players are set to return on Thursday.
However, Garnacho, Marcus Rashford, Tyrell Malacia, Antony, and Jadon Sancho have all been ordered to stay away from first-team training sessions as they look to complete moves away from Old Trafford. However, it has been noted that Rashford has reported to Carrington to train individually.
Garnacho has not been part of Amorim’s plans for the 2025/26 campaign, as the two fell out towards the back of last season, with the winger publicly criticising the head coach’s substitutions after the Europa League final defeat against Tottenham.
Fernandes’ clear warning to United duo amid Garnacho sale
Just prior to the Europa League final, club captain Bruno Fernandes was vocal about how he was already looking ahead to next season, stating that he felt three of United’s younger players, Garnacho, Amad, and Rasmus Højlund, must all step up next season.
Despite Garnacho set to depart and new signing Cunha taking his place on the left flank, Fernandes’ emphasis on Højlund and Amad to head into next season with improved consistency remains.
“The main thing I want… and I was even joking with Josh [Zirkzee] the other day, we were talking about the awards and they were saying like, ‘oh, who’s gonna win the award of Player of the Season?’, they were kind of putting a joke,” Fernandes explained back in May.
“And I said that I hope next year I am not even involved in the name – and do the same season as I did this year, and not be involved in the name of winning that trophy.
“Because that will mean you step up, Amad will step up, Garnacho will step up, Rasmus will step up… if they start scoring goals, start doing assists, start running backwards and tackling, they will be the ones having attention and not me, and I will be the most happy person in the world.
“I’m there to help my teammates get the best out of them, and that’s all I want to do because I know as soon as I can get the best out of them, my team will be much better.”
Amad and Højlund will have room to thrive next season
Should United complete the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, Amad is expected to start as Amorim’s right wing-back next season, and with the club eyeing a new striker, Højlund will not be a guaranteed starter.
Although there continue to be links suggesting Højlund is a hot topic in Italy, as exclusively revealed by UtdDistrict back in June, the Dane wants to remain at United and fight for his place at the club.
While this may initially be seen as a negative for both players, as Amorim looks set to remove them from the front three, their new roles in the squad will allow the duo to focus on improving their form.
Amad was fantastic last season, but injuries and constant position changes prevented him from making a consistent impact on the starting XI. However, with the Ivorian being the clear first-choice option on the wide right flank, he will be allowed to thrive.
If United secure a new and experienced striker, this gives Højlund plenty of breathing room to hone his skills on the training pitch, while relieving some of the pressure he suffered from last campaign.
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