Manchester United have reportedly rejected a £40m bid for one of their young players who has struggled since the arrival of Ruben Amorim in November.
United run away against Southampton thanks to the brilliant Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo was the hero for United as they beat Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford on Thursday night to win a Premier League game for the first time in a month. After United fell behind thanks to a Manuel Ugarte own goal, the Ivory Coast international, who has been United’s best player this season, scored three goals in the last 12 minutes to secure a vital win for Amorim’s side.
Amad’s hat-trick was the first of his professional career and he became the first African player to score three goals in a game for United, and the second-youngest player in the club’s history to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, behind only Wayne Rooney.
“I’m so happy to get my first hat-trick, especially at Old Trafford,” the 22-year-old, who signed a new five-year deal with United last week, he said after the game. “I’m very happy, especially for the win, because I think this team deserves it and we have to continue like this.”
Meanwhile, Amorim said: “He is having a very good season. I congratulate him. I hope he enjoys tonight because he has to appreciate these moments.
“He needs to continue. In football, one day, you are a really good player. The next day, you have to do it all again. There is a lot to improve. Today he played in a different position, and then, in the second half, we took advantage of his ability, with good player assists.”
Manchester United rejected Garnach’s offer
While Amad is thriving under Amorim, his United teammate Alejandro Garnacho is struggling. The Argentine has failed to register a single goal or assist in nine Premier League games since Amorim was appointed in November and was left out of the matchday squad for last month’s Manchester derby, which United won 2-1.
In the midst of Garnach’s travails, the Italian side Napoli have reportedly tried to lure the 20-year-old winger away from Old Trafford.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Napoli recently made a £40m bid for Garnach, which was rejected by United. Head coach Antonio Conte is said to be eyeing Garnach as a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is set to join Paris Saint-Germain. However, sources in Italy suggest Napoli believe United’s asking price for Garnacho is too high, and are now looking at other targets.
Connected
Ahead of the win over Southampton, Amorim was asked if Garnacho, who won the Puskas Award in 2024 with his overhead kick against Everton, had a future at Old Trafford.
He replied, according to Metro: “That’s clear. He’s got talent. He’s got to learn to play in a different position. He’s got to play better inside. He’s improving a lot getting back (his) position when he doesn’t have the ball.
“Sometimes he’s not in the right place for transitions like he was in the past, because I prefer to defend and then build up with the whole team to get to the final third. He finds the best way to play in this system.”
