Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Manchester United almost fell through
Alejandro Garnacho’s deal almost fell through due to a fight between Nick Cox’s two young boys, the Head of Manchester United’s Academy.
The Argentine winger is currently one of Europe’s most intriguing players. He cost £420,000 to sign with United after leaving Atletico Madrid in August 2020. During a video chat to persuade Garnacho and his family that United was the best club for his development, Cox revealed, however, that the deal nearly fell through.
“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,” he stated to United Review.
“I still remind my lads that if that fight had gone on much longer, Alejandro might not be at Manchester United today!
He consented to sign, so we must have done alright. In the midst of lockdown, he enrolled as a first-year scholar in 2020 in late August.
“As soon as he landed, we had to put together a fitness regimen and teach him over video chat in his backyard.
“It was difficult to give English lessons via video call or exercise sessions in the afternoons while he was back at home after he joined our group.
“He needed to be extremely resilient and focused, and there was an early example of his character there. Our staff had to be really creative and inventive in how we supported him.”
“We learned very quickly that we’d got a young man who’s determined, resilient, focused, driven, and those are all things that you need if you’re going to be a Manchester United player.”
Garnacho, 19, was required to spend two weeks in quarantine after arriving in Manchester. He was also required to show up for training at least 75 minutes early before leaving immediately for home.
