ALEJANDRO Garnacho has vowed to stay at Manchester United and could now smash one of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo’s records.
The Argentine brushed off comparisons with Ronaldo as he stands on the brink of surpassing one of the Portuguese superstar’s many feats.
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Yet he knows he will likely have to deal with them for as long as he remains a United player.
After all, it was Ronaldo who created the Argentinian winger’s first goal for the Red Devils back in November 2022.
And when the six-time Ballon d’Or winner left Old Trafford for the second and final time a few weeks later, the Stretford End immediately gave his song to Garnacho.
But deep down he probably would not have it any other way.
After all, this is the guy who still picks the Real Madrid legend as his greatest ever player — despite being an international team-mate of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
Garnacho posted on Instagram that he felt like he was dreaming the first time they lined up alongside each other for United at Sheriff Tiraspol.
There were even reports — which the United winger later denied — that he snubbed Messi on several occasions as their nation lifted the Copa America last year because he was such a fan of Ronaldo.
But there’s more — Garnacho nicked Ronaldo’s famous celebration after his overhead kick at Everton — and was clocked wearing some CR7-branded undies in a cup tie at Wigan last season.
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So you can be sure he knows that he can get one over on his idol between now and the end of the season.
Ronaldo had 25 goal involvements in the Premier League for United before he reached the age of 21 — and after scoring in Sunday’s defeat at Brentford, Garnacho is now just one behind.
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With three more Premier League games to go before he hits the landmark birthday in July, it should be within his grasp.
Garnacho appeared relaxed in the press conference as he showed off a tattoo on his hand bearing his son Enzo’s name
He said: “I’m not focused on the numbers.
“When Cristiano played here, he was a different footballer and there were different types of games.
“I just try to help the team and win games.
“With the missed chances and things, we are training really hard, all the strikers and I think we are improving. We will try to do better.”
At one stage this season, it looked as though Garnacho could be following Ronaldo out of the Old Trafford exit door.
He lost his way in the early weeks of Portuguese boss Ruben Amorim’s reign and was axed from the squad ahead of the Manchester derby in December for disciplinary reasons.
He has worked his way back into the manager’s good books since the autumn but has not hit double figures in terms of goals and assists this term.
Garnacho explained: “My first two months, November and December, were very difficult for me but my mentality is to keep working, to keep trying and show to the manager and staff I have to play.
“Obviously we have to work hard to be in the squad and then I have to train well every day and be available for all the games.
“I speak with Rasmus Hojlund a lot. We try to help each other.
“Sometimes, from this side, it’s difficult but we try hard, try harder every game to try to score more of these chances, and the team will improve if we score more goals.”
With Amorim sticking to his 3-4-3 formation, Garnacho admitted it has taken him a while to get used to it.
He said: “It’s difficult for everyone when, in the middle of the season, a new manager comes in and we change the formation.
“But we just need to improve every day. Obviously, the manager knows the characteristics of the players.
“What we try to do depends on the players we have and we are improving as a team also.”
Garnacho caught the eye in the 3-0 win against Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames last week which has put them in such a commanding position.
And he has urged his team-mates to finish the job at Old Trafford and approach the Europa League semi-final second leg with the right mentality.
As well as a European trophy, it would give United a place in next season’s Champions League — which would be a huge boost for everyone.
It would also see Garnacho play in a competition that a certain 40-year-old veteran Portuguese winger lit up so often.
The Argentina international added: “We know we are not doing a great job in the Premier League but the manager said before, we follow the rules and, for us, it’s a final tomorrow.
“We are going to face the game like it’s 0-0 and try to win the game, not just the tie.
“If we win the Europa League, we will be in the Champions League and then we can face the next season with a better mentality and in a different way.”
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Going nowhere
Garnacho is planning to stay at United this summer.
But despite fears Red Devils will sell him to balance the books, Garnacho insists he is happy where he is.
Meanwhile Amorim says skipper Bruno Fernandes is not for sale despite renewed interest from Saudi Arabia.
Both players have been key to United’s run to the brink of the Europa League final.
Garnacho said: “As a footballer, you are always going to listen and hear some rumours about the future.
“But I have a contract here until 2028 so I’m happy here.”
A suitable offer for Garnacho would still be tempting for United despite his improved form in recent months.
He qualifies as a homegrown player meaning his sale would be huge in their bid to get in line with the Prem’s profit and sustainability rules.
By contrast, Fernandes has always been viewed as one of the few United players who are not for sale.
Al Hilal are preparing a lucrative £1M-A-WEEK bid to try to lure the Portuguese playmaker to the Middle East.
But Fernandes signed a new deal with United last year and is one of a handful of players who are not for sale by the club.
He showed his worth last week as his two goals helped the Red Devils take a healthy lead into the Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao.
Amorim said: “I think it is easy to understand his importance – not just because of the numbers but the way he plays, the importance that he has during his five years here.
“He is a top player, we need top players. He is a leader, he’s the captain, so he’s really important.
“It’s normal that a lot of clubs want a player like Bruno, like Garnacho, like others.
“But we want to keep the best players, and Bruno is clearly one of the top players in the world, so our idea didn’t change.
“We want Bruno here.”