Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has publicly supported manager Ruben Amorim’s decision to sideline young winger Alejandro Garnacho, criticizing the 21-year-old’s mentality and attitude as a key factor in his exile from the first team.
Ferdinand’s comments come amid a turbulent period for Garnacho, who has been told to find a new club following a public fallout with Amorim, highlighting deeper issues with the Argentine’s professionalism and commitment at Old Trafford.
Ferdinand, speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, expressed frustration with Garnacho’s behavior, particularly after the winger’s controversial actions and public criticism of Amorim. The former United defender pointed to Garnacho’s social media activity, including a post where he wore an Aston Villa shirt with “Rashford 9” on the back, as evidence of a poor mindset.
“If I’m Garnacho, I’m looking at myself and thinking, ‘You’ve got to sort your head out,’” Ferdinand said, emphasizing that the young star’s antics, such as his Instagram post and comments branding United’s 2024/25 season “s***,” show a lack of maturity. He backed Amorim’s tough stance, stating, “Amorim’s setting a standard. You don’t get to act like that and stay in the squad. He’s drawing a line in the sand, and I respect that.”
The rift between Garnacho and Amorim escalated after the Europa League final loss to Tottenham in May 2025, where Garnacho, benched for most of the match, played only 19 minutes. Post-match, he voiced frustration, and his brother Roberto claimed on social media that Amorim had “thrown him under the bus.”
Amorim responded by dropping Garnacho for United’s final game against Aston Villa and reportedly told him in front of teammates to “pray” he finds a new club, signaling the end of his United career. Ferdinand, while acknowledging Garnacho’s talent, argued that his attitude has undermined his potential, noting, “He’s got pace, flair, but you can’t be acting like a kid when the manager’s trying to build something serious.”
Amorim’s decision to exclude Garnacho, alongside Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia, from pre-season training reflects his intent to overhaul United’s squad after a dismal 15th-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League season. Ferdinand has praised this ruthless approach, suggesting it’s necessary to address the club’s cultural issues.
“Amorim’s not here to babysit. He’s telling these players, ‘Step up or get out.’ That’s what United needs after years of drifting,” he said. However, Ferdinand also cautioned that United’s public handling of these exiles, including Garnacho, risks lowering their transfer value, citing the club’s failure to sell any of the five players as a potential embarrassment.
Garnacho’s situation is particularly notable given his status as a homegrown talent with 144 appearances and 26 goals for United. Despite interest from Napoli, Chelsea, and Tottenham, his £60 million valuation may drop due to his public feud with Amorim and United’s urgency to sell.
Ferdinand, while optimistic about Garnacho’s potential, believes his mentality must improve to succeed elsewhere, stating, “He’s young, he can bounce back, but he needs to grow up fast.” Meanwhile, Amorim’s focus on new signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo underscores his vision to rebuild without players who don’t fit his system or standards.
This saga, as Ferdinand notes, is a test of United’s resolve to back Amorim’s vision, but the club’s handling of Garnacho’s exit could shape perceptions of their transfer market savvy.
