Manchester United is yet to reap the full benefits of the 2020 summer transfer window, but in the next weeks, the business done during that pandemic-affected period could begin to look a lot brighter.
Even if Cavani had his moments last season and Van de Beek could be granted a lifeline by Erik ten Hag, none of Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek, or Edinson Cavani can be hailed as major successes from that window. That was also the summer in which United spent at least £25 million on two teenage right-wingers, but the verdict on Facundo Pellistri and Amad is still out.
However, under the radar in 2020, United’s academy was hard at work on recruitment, taking advantage of the opportunity to sign players from abroad before new Brexit restrictions went into effect.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid were all scouted for out-of-contract talent, and over two years later, two of those adolescents could make their debuts, if not against Chelsea tonight, then against Brentford on Monday.
For the last three games, Alejandro Garnacho has been an unused substitute. However, with Jadon Sancho the latest attacker to be ruled out, the 17-year-old will almost probably have played for United by the conclusion of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Senior players are dropping like flies, and if Harry Maguire is injured, Alvaro Fernandez could be elevated to the matchday squad. The 19-year-old has trained with the first squad but has yet to make the bench, but that is expected to change tonight or on Monday.
Fernandez may not be in contention for a starting spot just yet, but he could get some action off the bench. Luke Shaw is sidelined for the remainder of the season, while Alex Telles has struggled.
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Ralf Rangnick confirmed in his press conference ahead of the Chelsea game that more youngsters would be added to the squad due to the mounting injury problems — with only 14 senior players available — and given there is nothing left riding on this season, it would make sense to try and give as many of them as possible some minutes before the summer arrives.
Garnacho, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid two years ago, had been due to make his debut before the latest round of injuries. This season, he has proven to be a generational talent, excelling in the Youth Cup and most recently for Neil Wood’s Under-23s, while also training with Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
United has tried to keep the winger’s hype under control, but his performances have made that increasingly impossible, and earning a sponsorship agreement with Nike earlier this month was another proof of his growth. It was always a question of time before he made his first-team debut.
For Fernandez, it may come a little sooner than expected, despite being one of the star performers for the Under-23s this season.
The full-back joined the club on a free transfer from Real Madrid and has improved his English since then. He’s been a great attacking force and is a very contemporary full-back in that aspect, while his defensive style still needs development.
United’s season has been totally forgettable, and it is finally coming to an end, but the remaining four games could still bring some intrigue, as well as the opportunity to show that the 2020 transfer window could yet produce some jewels.
