Alejandro Garnacho, the young and promising talent of Manchester United, has a history that intertwines deeply with their local rivals, Manchester City. Last season, he made headlines when he scored the opening goal in the FA Cup final, helping Manchester United secure a stunning victory over City. Following this significant achievement, Garnacho celebrated alongside his youthful team-mates, including Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Hojlund, capturing a moment of triumph that many fans will remember.

Fast forward just over two months, and Garnacho found himself back on the iconic Wembley stage during the Community Shield, where he once again faced off against Manchester City. In that match, he showcased his talent by scoring another goal, marking the first of an impressive tally of eight goals in just his first 20 appearances of the season. This early form established him as one of the key players to watch in the squad.

However, not all has been smooth sailing for the young forward. A downturn in form and circumstances led to Garnacho being benched during a crucial match against City on December 15. This decision came after the head coach, Ruben Amorim, opted to drop both Garnacho and his fellow forward, Marcus Rashford, citing concerns over their performances in training and games, as well as their engagement with teammates. Amorim emphasized that he pays close attention to not just the on-field performances but also the professionalism surrounding his players’ preparations, including their eating habits and the way they presented themselves for matches.

While Rashford's time away from the squad culminated in a temporary loan to Aston Villa in February, Garnacho’s situation was somewhat different. After being left out of the squad, he was quickly recalled due to what sources described as a misunderstanding regarding his attentiveness during a Europa League game. Amorim interpreted Garnacho’s demeanor as a lack of focus, while Garnacho himself believed he was fully engaged, observing the game unfold from the sidelines.

As a new head coach, Amorim felt compelled to establish authority and set expectations, but Garnacho's prompt return to the lineup indicated that the issue had been resolved, allowing him to continue his journey with the team. Despite this swift resolution, Garnacho's performance levels have seen a decline. In the 21 matches since the encounter with Manchester City, he has managed to score only one goal and provide four assists, a stark contrast to his earlier form.

Following a particularly frustrating performance against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, where he had six unsuccessful shots and was shown a yellow card for impulsively kicking the ball away in frustration, Garnacho's future at Manchester United has sparked a great deal of discussion among fans. Many are questioning what steps he will take to regain his form and secure his place in the starting lineup as the Manchester derby approaches once again.