'I'm not satisfied' - Midfielder unhappy with playing time as Manchester United 'consider' January move
Man Utd attempted to sign the midfielder in the final days of the summer window and could make another approach in January.
Conor Gallagher has fuelled suggestions of a potential transfer next year after he admitted he is 'not satisfied' with his lack of playing time for Atletico Madrid. However, he insists he is still 'very happy' in the Spanish capital.
The 25-year-old has made only four starts for the La Liga club this season and managed just 545 minutes of football across 16 appearances. Gallagher is desperate to play regularly in the second-half of the campaign in an attempt to keep his hopes of an England recall alive ahead of the World Cup next summer. He made his last England appearance a year ago today and has not been selected once by head coach Thomas Tuchel.
Manchester United made a late attempt to sign Gallagher on loan during the summer transfer window, but Atletico made it clear they would only entertain a permanent sale. He remains an option ahead of the January window, though Ruben Amorim has already reiterated he only wants to sign those with a long-term value to the club. A report from The Sunday Mirror claimed United remain interested in Gallagher and could make an attempt to sign him on loan early next year.
Gallagher not satisfied with playing time
Conor Gallagher will spark fresh links with a move to Manchester United after he admitted he is 'not satisfied' with his current playing time at Atletico Madrid.
In an interview with AS, the former Chelsea midfielder was directly asked if he was satisfied with his current level of involvement. "No, no, of course not. I'm not satisfied," he said. "I don't think anyone is if they're not playing as much as they'd like, but I'll keep working very hard to help the team whenever I have the chance, and hopefully more opportunities to be a starter will come."
When further pushed on whether he could consider a move in the January window, Gallagher added: "I'm very happy here. My goal is to win titles with Atleti and I want to have a bigger role in the team. And, as I've said, I'm going to keep working as hard as I can to play more minutes and help the team.
"Sometimes it's difficult to get a few minutes on the pitch and show everything I can do. But, as I said, the most important thing is to do my best for the coach and the team, and that's what I'm trying to do right now. I'm already very settled. My girlfriend and I love living here. It's an amazing city and we're very happy."
A key factor in his future is the hope of a place in the World Cup squad and he revealed he has already spoken to Thomas Tuchel about what he needs to earn an England recall. He finished: "Yes, of course. That's one of my goals. I've spoken with Thomas Tuchel, and he's told me what he needs from me and what I have to do to get back into the team. And it seems that, right now, it's very difficult for me to reach that point. But, as I said before, I'll keep working as hard as I can to get more playing time and, hopefully, return to the national team."
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