£93m Man Utd star wanted by UCL giants in repeat of Fergie’s big mistake

The January transfer window is huge for Reuben Amorim and Manchester United if the 39-year-old wants to push the side and his tenure in the right direction.

For too long, the Red Devils’ hierarchy have splashed cash recklessly, often resulting in a number of big-money signings that failed to make the grade at Old Trafford.

Antonije is undoubtedly the best example of such a business, cost £86m in summer 2022after following the former boss Erik ten Haag in exchange of the Netherlands for England.

He has been ever since he scored only 12 times in 94 gamesresulting in a rapid drop down the pecking order, leading to various rumors about his future, including a moves to the Greek Olympiacos.

Spending is certainly necessary to reduce the sizeable wage bill before Amorim can make his mark on the side, but one player should not be sold amid recent speculation about his own future.

The La Liga side are interested in landing the £93million Man Utd star

In the past few days, journalist David Ornstein confirmed that it was The United Hierarchy would consider the offers for Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho if they get acceptable offers for that pair.

Both flourished in the academy, before effortlessly making the step up to the first team last season – remaining members of Amorim’s side following his appointment.

However, talkSPORT has confirmed that Atlético Madrid are a Champions League team interested in re-signing the Argentine wingerbut it is unclear how much they would be willing to offer for the 20-year-old to secure a return just a few years after leaving the LaLiga giants.

A winger, who is respected €112m (£93m) from the CIES Football Observatoryhe scored a goal eight and registered four assists in the 2024/2025 season, with one of the biggest returns of strikers in the Red Devils team.

Although he has been left out of various matches in recent weeks, his future should not be considered, they would potentially make the mistake of letting him go, as they did with another star below Sir Alex Ferguson.

Why Garnacho could be Pique’s repeater for United

As previously mentioned, United signed the younger Garnacho from Atletico back in October 2020, but recent news could see him return to his former side – leaving a major hole in their forward line.

However, it would not be the first time that the club sold a player back to the side he came from, and the same situation happened with the central defender. Gerard Pique back in the summer of 2008.

The Spaniard originally moved to Manchester in 2004. he made only 15 appearances for the first team before finally returning to Barcelona – the club where he undoubtedly made his name during his professional career.

After leaving Old Trafford, the defender would continue perform over 600 performances for the Catalan club, winning countless trophies such as three Champions Leagues, eight triumphs in La Liga and a victory in the World Cup with his nation.

Pique will forever be a club legend at Barcelona for his iconic partnership with Carles Puyol at the heart of the defense – made all the more impressive by the fact that United sold it to them for just £5 million – surely ranks among Ferguson’s biggest mistakes during his tenure as manager.

While Garnacho would undoubtedly demand a much higher transfer fee, selling him back to his former club would be a huge mistake and one that Amorim may regret, much like Sir Alex did with Pique.

The 20-year-old still has plenty of time to further develop into a world-class talent, and his departure from Old Trafford sees the hierarchy lose a player who could play a huge role in their future success.

If they were to receive a fee close to his market value, it would be a club-record fee – which would obviously fuel interest in taking him on – but if he can build on his start to life as a professional, the Argentine would undoubtedly be worth a lot more down the line.

As evidenced by the Pique deal, there would certainly be risk in moving the winger, while the lack of an attacking threat within the current squad would make Amorim’s task of transforming the squad even more difficult than it already is.