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ALEJANDRO Garnacho has committed to staying at Manchester United and may soon surpass one of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo’s records.
The Argentine forward dismissed any comparisons with Ronaldo as he approaches the chance to outshine one of the legendary player’s many accolades.
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Nonetheless, he acknowledges that he will likely encounter such comparisons for the entirety of his time with United.
After all, it was Ronaldo who set up the Argentinian winger’s inaugural goal for the club in November 2022.
When the six-time Ballon d’Or winner departed Old Trafford for the last time shortly thereafter, the Stretford End fervently chanted his song in favor of Garnacho.
Deep down, he might prefer it no other way.
He continues to regard the Real Madrid icon as his all-time favorite player — even though he is an international colleague of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
Garnacho expressed on Instagram that he felt as though he was living a dream the first time they played together at Sheriff Tiraspol.
There were even speculations — which the United winger later dispelled — that he had disregarded Messi on several occasions during their Copa America triumph last year due to his admiration for Ronaldo.
Moreover, Garnacho has mirrored Ronaldo’s signature celebration following his overhead kick against Everton and was spotted donning CR7-themed underwear during a cup match at Wigan last season.
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It’s evident that he is aware he can surpass his idol before the season concludes.
Ronaldo amassed 25 goal contributions in the Premier League for United before turning 21 — and after scoring in Sunday’s defeat at Brentford, Garnacho is just one behind.
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New footage reveals Alejandro Garnacho’s reaction after being substituted during a match
With three more Premier League matches left before he reaches that milestone birthday in July, it seems achievable.
Garnacho appeared comfortable in the press conference as he showcased a tattoo on his hand bearing his son’s name.
He stated: “I’m not fixated on the statistics.
“When Cristiano played here, he was a different type of player and the games were different.
“I just aim to assist the team in securing victories.
“With the missed opportunities, we’ve been training hard; all the forwards are striving, and I believe we are improving. We will aim for better outcomes.”
At one stage this season, it appeared Garnacho could follow Ronaldo out the exit door at Old Trafford.
He faced a challenging start during the early weeks of Portuguese manager Ruben Amorim’s tenure and was left out of the squad prior to the Manchester derby in December due to disciplinary matters.
Since autumn, he has worked his way back into the manager’s good graces but has yet to reach double figures in goals and assists this season.
Garnacho explained: “The first two months, November and December, were quite challenging for me, but my mindset is to keep pushing, to show the manager and staff that I’m deserving of playing time.
“We must work hard to maintain our spot in the squad, so I need to train well every day and be ready for all matches.
“I communicate frequently with Rasmus Hojlund. We support one another.
“Sometimes it’s difficult on this side, but we are motivating ourselves more each game to convert additional chances, and the team will improve as we score more goals.”
With Amorim adhering to his 3-4-3 formation, Garnacho admitted it has taken him some time to adjust.
He noted: “It’s tough for everyone when a new manager joins mid-season and we change our formation.
“But we just need to keep improving daily. The manager understands the characteristics of the players.
“What we aspire to accomplish depends on the players available, and we are evolving as a team.”
Garnacho shone in the 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao last week, putting them in a solid position.
He has urged his teammates to finish the job at Old Trafford and approach the second leg of the Europa League semi-final with the right mentality.
Securing a European trophy would not only earn a place in next season’s Champions League but also serve as a significant morale boost for all involved.
It would allow Garnacho to participate in a tournament that a certain 40-year-old Portuguese winger often dazzled in.
The Argentina international added: “We know we’re not performing well in the Premier League, but the manager emphasized earlier, we abide by the rules, and for us, it’s a final tomorrow.
“We will approach the match as if it’s 0-0 and aim to win, not just secure the tie.
“If we clinch the Europa League title, we qualify for the Champions League, and then we can enter the next season with a better mentality and a fresh approach.”
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Garnacho plans to stay at United this summer.
Despite concerns that the Red Devils might sell him to balance their finances, Garnacho emphasizes he is happy in his current role.
Meanwhile, Amorim has confirmed that captain Bruno Fernandes is not up for sale amid increased interest from Saudi clubs.
Both players have been key to United’s pursuit of the Europa League final.
Garnacho commented: “As a player, you often hear speculation about your future.
“However, I’m contracted here until 2028, so I’m content here.”
A substantial offer for Garnacho could still tempt United, despite his recent resurgence.
His status as a homegrown talent means his transfer would greatly assist the club in meeting Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
Conversely, Fernandes has consistently been considered one of the few United players not available for transfer.
Al Hilal is reportedly preparing a £1M-A-WEEK offer to lure the Portuguese midfielder to the Middle East.
However, Fernandes signed a new contract with United last year and is one of the few players the club is keen to retain.
He proved his worth last week by netting two goals, which helped the Red Devils secure a favorable lead heading into the second leg of the Europa League semi-final against Athletic Bilbao.
Amorim remarked: “It’s evident his significance goes beyond his statistics; it’s about the quality he brings over his five years here.
“He’s an elite player; we need elite players. He’s a leader, our captain, making him incredibly valuable.
“Naturally, clubs will express interest in players of Bruno’s caliber, alongside Garnacho and others.
“Yet we aim to keep our best talents, and Bruno is undoubtedly one of the world’s top players, so our position remains unchanged.
“We want Bruno here.”
