Why Man Utd should not listen to Paul Merson’s blockbuster Alejandro Garnacho swap deal suggestion

Mail Sport reports that Chelsea are planning to make a formal offer for Garnacho this week, and claims that the Blues are now the leading contenders to sign the Argentinian international signature after previous suitors Napoli diverted their attention Borussia Dortmund ace Karim Adeyemi.

The outlet claims Chelsea made their opening enquiries last weekend with United reportedly commanding a £65m figure for their 20-year-old playmaker. Chelsea are keen to bolster their wide options after Mykhailo Mudryk’s provisional suspension for failing a drugs test. The Blues currently have Pedro Neto, ex-United flop Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke competing for a starting spot in the wide areas.

Meanwhile, the West London side have reportedly made it clear that they are willing to listen to offers for out-of-favour forward Nkunku after his slow start to the season. The Frenchman arrived to great fanfare from RB Leipzig, but has struggled to hit the ground running after an injury-hit debut season in the capital last term.

Paul Merson’s verdict on Garnacho and Nkunku swap deal

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has described the Alejandro Garnacho and Christopher Nkunku swap deal as a ‘no-brainer’ from a United perspective and has urged Ruben Amorim to take advantage of the proposal.

He told Sky Sports: "If I am United, I am getting that deal done, 100 per cent. I am dropping him [Garnacho] off and picking up Nkunku. He's a good player, he has been bang unlucky at Chelsea because of [Cole] Palmer, who's done unbelievably well. If Man United get him, that would get a signing and a half."

Merson, was however, quick to question Chelsea’s motives behind getting the deal done - and claimed that Garnacho would struggle to command a starting spot at Stamford Bridge.

He added: "I don't get the Garnacho one, he is not better than [Jadon] Sancho, he is not better than [Pedro] Neto. Him and [Noni] Madueke have their days where they look really good - but it won't be consistent enough. Yeah I don't see where he plays, but Nkunku walks into the Man United team."

Why Man Utd should keep Alejandro Garnacho

United are undoubtedly in need of a centre forward in the near future after the inconsistencies of both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee - and will almost certainly need to strengthen that area in the future if they are to climb back into the European places. However, while it’s clear to see the temptation to sign Christopher Nkunku from his performances at RB Leipzig, it is not yet clear whether that talent still exists after his struggles with injury at Stamford Bridge.

Nkunku missed almost the entirety of last season with a serious knee injury before picking up a long-term hamstring injury in the early part of 2024. So far this season, Nkunku has managed just two goals and one assist from 19 league appearances, and although most of these minutes have come from the bench, he has struggled to make a great impact when coming on in place of Nicholas Jackson.

Nkunku’s record of three goals in two games in the Carabao Cup and his record of five in five in the Europa Conference League is more encouraging, however, it is important to note that those goals came against the likes of FC Noah, Panathinkos, Heidenheif and League Two Barrow.

Overall, at 27-years of age, Nkunku currently appears to be on the decline from the player that Chelsea signed for £52m from RB Leipzig - whereas Garnacho, although out of form, still has the potential to make huge strides at 20-years-of-age - and has already achieved a great deal after winning the League Cup and FA Cup with the Red Devils in a tricky period.

Garnacho has shown plenty of flashes of his quality and could still grow into a hugely-successful footballer with the right coaching and people around him. At this moment in time, United are also short on winger options - and with Antony departing to Real Betis and Marcus Rashford being frozen out of the squad - Garnacho currently finds himself as one of the club’s only wide options along with the in-form Amad Diallo.

At this stage, it would be too big a risk for United to play the remainder of the season with one natural winger, while pinning all their hopes on a forward that’s yet to prove himself in the Premier League.