Nicky Butt claims Man Utd star ‘wants’ to join Real Madrid or Barcelona

Nicky Butt, former Manchester United star, has claimed that Alejandro Garnacho, the club’s young Argentine forward, may privately be considering a future move to one of the two Spanish giants, Real Madrid or Barcelona. This comes amid the 20-year-old’s growing influence at Old Trafford, where he has continued to shine despite the club’s recent struggles.

Garnacho, who has impressed with his pace and ability to find the back of the net, is having an outstanding season, already scoring seven goals in just 18 appearances. His performances have made him one of the brighter spots in an otherwise difficult period for Manchester United.

In April 2023, Garnacho signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2028, signaling a long-term commitment to the Premier League side. However, Butt believes that the young winger’s ambitions could eventually lead him to Spain, with Real Madrid or Barcelona seen as the next step in his career.

Speaking on the Football’s Greatest podcast, Butt pointed out that while the Premier League is often considered the best league in the world, top-tier players regularly make the move to La Liga in search of further success and recognition. “If you look at all the superstars, they never stay in the Premier League. They stay until they need to go to the next level,” Butt explained. “A lot of the players see the next level as being Real Madrid or Barca… You can guarantee Kylian Mbappé will be in the running for the Ballon d’Or next year because he’s at Real Madrid.”

Butt continued, highlighting that Garnacho’s trajectory, if he continues to develop, could very well see him aiming for one of the Spanish giants. “It’s like Garnacho, he’s doing well here now, he’s a young Argentinian boy. If he keeps going, you can imagine him wanting to go to Real Madrid or Barcelona. Players become superstars there, not only on the football pitch,” he added.

While there is no indication that Garnacho is actively looking to leave Manchester United, Butt’s comments come after recent speculation surrounding the young forward’s future. The player has previously been linked with moves to clubs like Juventus and Atlético Madrid. Furthermore, a recent incident during Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Leicester City raised some eyebrows when Garnacho refused to celebrate his goal. United captain Bruno Fernandes later explained that Garnacho felt he had “lost the faith” of some fans, though the team’s overall performance was solid.

Adding to the intrigue, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes echoed Butt’s sentiment about the appeal of Barcelona and Real Madrid, acknowledging that a move to one of the Spanish clubs is often seen as a step up for players who reach the top of their game in the Premier League. “If you become a great player here, the only place you can go is Madrid or Barcelona,” Scholes said, although he referred to it as a “sideways move” for a player already playing at a club like Manchester United.

The timing of these comments comes during a transitional period for Manchester United, as the club has recently seen changes in management with Ruben Amorim taking over from interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy. It remains to be seen how Garnacho’s career develops under Amorim, but with the speculation about his future growing, the winger could soon face an important decision.

As Garnacho continues to mature as a player, both Manchester United and their supporters will be hoping that the young talent chooses to remain at the club and help bring the team back to its former glory. However, with La Liga clubs always lurking, the lure of playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona may prove difficult to resist in the future.

The coming months will likely be crucial in determining whether Garnacho’s future lies in Manchester or elsewhere, as he continues to make a name for himself as one of the brightest young talents in world football.