Sir Alex Ferguson has ‘told’ Ruben Amorim what to do with Alejandro Garnacho amid boycott threat

Manchester United are once again at the center of transfer drama, and this time it involves one of their brightest but most controversial young talents — Alejandro Garnacho. The 21-year-old winger has pushed himself to the heart of a storm following his fallout with new United boss Ruben Amorim, and the situation has echoes of some of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most ruthless calls during his reign at Old Trafford.

The issue began earlier this summer after United’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, where Garnacho gave an explosive interview that did not sit well with the club. His comments, viewed internally as disrespectful, immediately placed him on thin ice. Amorim responded swiftly, instructing Garnacho to look for a new club and making it clear that his future at Old Trafford was in doubt.

Since then, speculation has swirled around the Argentine’s next move. Garnacho, tied down by contract until 2028, has drawn links to Napoli and other European clubs. But it is Chelsea who appear to be in the strongest position to make a deal happen. Reports suggest the London club is preparing an offer, though Manchester United remain firm that they will not sell for less than what they consider his market value.

The transfer saga escalated further when Fabrizio Romano revealed on his podcast that Garnacho is prepared to take drastic measures if his wish is not granted. According to the journalist, the winger is willing to sit out of United’s squad altogether unless he is allowed to join Chelsea. His stance has shocked supporters, many of whom are torn between sympathy for his ambition and anger at his defiance.

Saudi Arabian clubs reportedly made lucrative offers for Garnacho earlier in the summer, but the player showed no interest in moving outside Europe. Romano stressed that the winger has only one priority — Chelsea. The firmness of his stance has made this one of the summer’s most explosive stories in English football, as Garnacho risks his place at Old Trafford in pursuit of a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The question now arises: how would Sir Alex Ferguson have handled such a situation? During his legendary 26-year reign, Ferguson was well known for imposing strict discipline. Players who stepped out of line were often met with harsh punishments, no matter their star status. His philosophy was clear — no player was ever bigger than Manchester United or the manager.

History offers several examples. Paul Scholes was fined two weeks’ wages in 2001 after refusing to play in a League Cup tie against Arsenal. David Beckham famously left United for Real Madrid in 2003 following a breakdown in his relationship with Ferguson, who believed the midfielder had begun to see himself as more important than the team. “The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager, he had to go,” Ferguson wrote in his autobiography.

The departures did not stop there. Roy Keane, United’s hard-tackling captain, was shown the door in 2005 after Ferguson deemed an interview with MUTV to be disrespectful to his teammates. Just a year later, star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy also fell foul of the Scotsman’s iron rule after a clash with Cristiano Ronaldo, leading to another high-profile exit. Each case underlined Ferguson’s belief that discipline and unity always came before individual talent.

With Garnacho now threatening a boycott, many believe Amorim is standing at a crossroads similar to those Ferguson once faced. Should he hold firm and assert authority, even at the cost of losing one of United’s most talented youngsters? Or should he seek reconciliation, risking the appearance of weakness in the eyes of both fans and the dressing room?

For now, Amorim appears to be leaning towards Ferguson’s example, showing little inclination to bend to Garnacho’s demands. The Portuguese coach has already sent a clear message by excluding him from key squad preparations. Yet, unlike Ferguson, Amorim is still building his authority at Old Trafford and faces a far less stable environment than the one United enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The coming weeks will be decisive. If Chelsea formalize their interest, Garnacho’s future could be resolved swiftly. If not, United may find themselves stuck in a standoff that could drag well into the season. One thing, however, seems certain: if Ferguson were still in charge, Garnacho’s rebellion would not be tolerated for long. And in the shadows of Old Trafford, many supporters are already wondering whether Amorim will follow the same ruthless path.