In Alejandro Garnacho Manchester United have one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, but it is reasonable to have concern over the high volume of game time he played last season.

Alejandro Garnacho could be at risk of burnout as he is playing a huge amount of game for club and country, with no rest imminent.

After being ever present in the Manchester United team this past season, Garnacho has now travelled to the Copa America, and will miss the start of the Red Devils’ 2024 pre-season.

In total Garnacho played 50 matches for Manchester United over the past season, often required to carry an inconsistent attack.

Alejandro Garnacho at High Injury Risk

The problem with such high levels of exposure is that it carries the issue of increasing the likelihood of soft tissue injuries for Garnacho, or even more serious problems.

This is especially worrying for Red Devils fans. as the club have not done well in the 2023/24 season managing these types of “exposure” injuries with the club having the most time loss injuries, 45, of all clubs in the Premier League this season.

The science backs up the risk of too much game time. A 2020 academic analysis explained that “acute fatigue affects prospective intrinsic modifiable risk factors for lower extremity injury”, which is what could happen to Garnacho if he is not properly managed.  

This fatigue has already made an impact on performances this season, with the young winger being criticised for a tired performance against Arsenal towards the end of the campaign.

But the 2024/25 campaign now adds extra risk due to the expanded European competition format.

The new style of Europa League “group stage” will see teams play eight games instead of the previous six.

The European competition format was expanded despite doctors warning how unsafe current levels of playing are.

FIFPro stated in their 2024 conference that already “players have gone beyond the limit” and the over playing of footballers has led to “dangerous mental and physical fatigue”, as reported by The Independent.

The Value of Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho’s fitness is going to be vitally important to the team next season. He adds an important creative spark to the team high up the pitch that has been missing this season.

He had the most progressive carries in the Manchester United team and third highest Key Passes per 90 of players who played more than 10 games last season.

In fact, he is arguably one of the best young dribblers in Europe right now as his 6.00 Progressive Carries per 90 data is in the top 5% of all players on the continent, and he is also in the top 3% for Carries into the Penalty Area.

This is a skill vitally needed for the team who scored just 57 goals and sat in twelfth for Expected Goals (xG), thus displaying an inability to create chances.

What Manchester United Must Do

After the Copa America it must be ensured that Garnacho is given ample opportunity to rest, recuperate and then have a great pre-season to build the fitness to carry him through the season.

But the management of the team is going to have to carefully plan his rotation through the season. This will be vital to his longevity this season.

The positive news is that Marcus Rashford plays on the same side of the pitch, and this quality squad depth should ensure that both can stay sharp and are not overplayed.

Plus, the United star will have had a proper rest, having not made the Euro 2024 squad for England.

In fact, Manchester United have a perfect example of how rest can improve a players output: Marcus Rashford himself.

In the summer of 2022 Rashford had his first ever rest and full pre-season for many years and it showed with his goal involvements and outstanding season.

But the combination of the Winter World Cup and over reliance on him meant that going into the 2023/24 season he was burnt out again and so, even though his injury record improved, he was a shadow of his amazing 2022/23 season.

Alejandro Garnacho can become one of the best wingers around if his load is managed well and that he is given time to rest to avoid injuries or over fatigue.

Manchester United must lay the groundwork this season with sensible loads and careful planning.

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