£60m profit - Manchester United finances could be eased by controversial sale

Manchester United have an interesting dilemma on their hands when it comes to the future of youngster Alejandro Garnacho.

At the age of 20, he is already one of the most impressive attacking outlets in the side and has proven himself a player capable of shining on the biggest stages. If he played for another club, he is no doubt the type of player fans would wish to be signed.

Yet, the uncomfortable truth is that his best moments came in a very different system under a very different manager. He flourished in attack under Erik ten Hag, more so than any other forward at the club, but under Ruben Amorim opportunities have been limited.

It is by no means a disaster that he is no longer a certain starter, and he is an exciting option from the bench, but he also represents a financial asset who is perhaps not being utilised to his full potential. Ordinarily, it would not be much of a problem. United want to have fierce competition for places and Garnacho certainly provides that. But with club finances tight and a Janaury transfer budget effectively non-existent, there has never been a more compelling argument to sell him either.

United paid just £420,000 to sign Garnacho from Atletico in 2020 and could realistically earn around £60 million from his sale now. In the current era of PSR, which classifies any sale of an academy graduate as pure profit, any bid would have to be seriously considered.The stance on Garnacho is as predictable as you would presume. United aren't actively looking to sell the Argentine forward but appreciate every player has a price. There are only a handful of truly 'untouchables' at the club and bids would be considered for every academy graduate due to the financial incentive they represent.

Napoli have been heavily linked with a move for Garnacho to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, though the reports are understood to be agent-driven and United are not likely to entertain any offers for him this month. That of course could change if an exceptional offers arrives, but unless one does, he is still very much part of Amorim's plans for the future.

Garnacho has given United some priceless moments, but every United player has their price now. If a huge offer were to come in, they would find it hard to turn down.