- Garnacho signed for United in 2020 for small fee from Atletico Madrid in Spain
- Negotiations had to be done over video call and communication proved tough
- Arsenal were planning to play ‘We are The Champions’ after beating Liverpool! What are those ridiculous celebrations about? It’s All Kicking Off podcast
A family argument nearly prevented Alejandro Garnacho from signing for Manchester United, it has been revealed.
Garnacho has been one of the star players for United this season, scoring a Goal of the Season contender against Everton late last year and netting a brace against West Ham last time out.
Still aged just 19, there are high hopes for the forward’s future at the club, with the Argentinian already scoring 12 goals and picking up seven assists in his 67 appearances for United.
He joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2020, signing for a reported £420,000 fee having moved to the Spanish club’s academy from Getafe in 2015.
His move to England almost didn’t happen, however. With the move to Old Trafford taking place during the Covid period, negotiations had to take place virtually, and United’s Head of Academy Nick Cox has revealed how his family nearly ruined the deal.
Alejandro Garnacho almost didn’t sign for Manchester United due to a family disagreement, it has been revealed
United’s Head of Academy Nick Cox (left) revealed how negotiations for the deal were difficult during the Covid period
The forward has massively impressed in the first team and scored twice for his side in the win over West Ham
Speaking to The Sun, Cox said: ‘I had to do that from my spare bedroom via video call, using a translator.
‘My boys at the time would have been 14 and 10 and I remember vividly that they were arguing with each other while I was trying to sign Alejandro.
‘I still tell my boys now, had that argument rumbled on much longer then we probably wouldn’t have Alejandro Garnacho at Manchester United.’
The signing of Garnacho can be widely regarded as one of the best pieces of business United have carried out in recent years given the fee involved and the impact the player has had on the team.
He made headlines when he leaped from the ground with his back to goal to score the stunning bicycle kick against Everton in the 3-0 win in November, and Cox wasn’t surprised to see the forward pull the move off.
Garnacho, then 16, joined United in an eventual deal believed to be worth around £420,000
The Argentinian made headlines when he scored an overhead kick in a 3-0 win against Everton in November
‘[He has] a desire to try and do things that are a little bit unorthodox and try to entertain,’ Cox added.
‘For our really young players, to see a young boy score a goal like the one he did at Everton, that can only be an inspiration for them.
‘There were bicycle kicks in our indoor area left, right and centre the following week.’
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk