Alejandro Garnacho’s ultimate Cristiano Ronaldo move could save his Man Utd career, and rescue the club’s season

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Manchester United have many dilemmas right now. And the answer need not be to sell Alejandro Garnacho.

Alejandro Garnacho is being strongly linked with a Manchester United exit, with Napoli and Chelsea keen.

United are deliberating whether to sell Garnacho to solve PSR issues – while the player is worried he does not have a long-term future in Ruben Amorim’s system.

Amorim plays without wingers, preferring two inside forwards behind a striker, using wing-backs instead. The head coach has told Garnacho he needs to change his game.

Garnacho was selected as a starter against Rangers, and was cheered by the crowd at Old Trafford, who sang his name. The youngster sent a thankful message after the game.

So what is next for Garnacho? There is one step that might just work for all parties.

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Play Garnacho as striker

There is one option for Manchester United, Ruben Amorim and Alejandro Garnacho that has not been tried out yet.

Playing Alejandro Garnacho as a striker could be the solution for all concerned.

Garnacho has the pace to threaten defences, and causing constant danger for opponents. He also has an eye for goal, with eight strikes to his name this season, plus seven assists.

This was the route taken by Garnacho’s idol Cristiano Ronaldo, who began his career as a winger, before making the move inside to centre-forward, becoming one of the most prolific in history.

If a young Ronaldo had been at United right now, he would be in similar situation to Garnacho, told he does not fit Amorim’s system.

The move to striker might be a little early in comparison to Ronaldo, but the timing could be right, and would allow him to prolong his career at Manchester United, rather than the club rushing into a sale.

• READ MORE: Who is Alejandro Garnacho? Meet Man Utd’s dazzling Argentine

Manchester United need a striker

The timing could not be better for Manchester United to experiment with a new striker, because the current options simply are not working.

Rasmus Hojlund has not scored a Premier League goal since October, and has only two in the league all season.

Hojlund has failed to shine under Ruben Amorim and has been deservedly dropped by Amorim, in favour of Joshua Zirkzee.

The trouble is, Zirkzee is not a goalscorer either. The Dutchman has not looked threatening since coming back into the starting line-up.

Would United be any worse with Garnacho up front? Surely not. He would give the attack an extra edge too, with his ability to make runs in behind the defence.

With Garnacho looking for a role at United, and the club in need of a striker, this is a switch worth experimenting with between now and the end of the season, and then taking stock.