Amorim's damning reaction to Alejandro Garnacho transfer question speaks volumes

Alejandro Garnacho is away with Manchester United in Hong Kong, despite being on the transfer list after falling out with manager Ruben Amorim at the end of the season

Ruben Amorim struggled to hide himself laughing after hearing a question about the possibility of Alejandro Garnacho staying at Manchester United. Garnacho is on United’s post-season tour, despite being poised to leave after Amorim told him that he doesn’t feature in his plans for next season.

It is an awkward situation for both player and manager following a falling out that will lead to Garnacho’s departure in the summer transfer window. United are ready to listen to offers for any of their squad following a desperate season, in which they finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final.

Garnacho is at the top of the list to sell after reacting badly to being left on the bench for the final against Spurs. He was then left out of the squad for United’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season and is ready to quit United once the transfer window opens, with Napoli the frontrunners for his signature.

Nevertheless, Amorim took the 20-year-old winger on United’s tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong, where he has cut the figure of a moody teenager, reluctantly signing autographs before playing in the embarrassing 1-0 defeat by ASEAN All-Stars on Wednesday.

His exit appears as good as inevitable – and Amorim’s reaction after hearing Amad posed a question about Garnacho in a press conference in Hong Kong summed up the mood. While the reporter asked the United forward if he hoped his friend would stay for the 2025/26 campaign, Amorim was spotted trying to stifle a laugh with his hand.

Amad then answered: "Alejandro is a really good player and we need good players in the team. I know Garna really well, so I hope to have Garna next season. It is not really a big issue for the team. Everything is good now."

Amorim has been unhappy with Garnacho’s attitude in recent weeks and is more than happy to sanction his exit. United rejected a £40million bid from Napoli in January for the Argentina international, but will hold talks with the Italian champions’ sporting director Giovanni Manna once they return from Hong Kong.

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The United boss batted away suggestions that it was odd he would bring Garnacho on the trip, given his status. “It is not a surprise,” he said. “He is a player of Manchester United – all the players are here. Some players are injured and it was better for them not to fly here to play these two games. It is a normal situation."

United are desperate to generate funds for their summer overhaul and Garnacho is on the transfer list along with Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho following their loan spells at other clubs. Garnacho, who is under contract until June 2028, is valued at around £70m after getting 11 goals and 10 assists in 58 games this season.