Manchester United will have their eyes peeled in the January transfer window as Ruben Amorim’s side continue to try and climb up the Premier League table
James Garner joined United aged just 8 but left in 2022 over a lack of first-team playing opportunities(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
A Manchester United academy graduate who left Old Trafford over a lack of playing opportunities could make a shock return to his boyhood club this January transfer window as Ruben Amorim looks to overhaul his midfield. James Garner joined Carrington at under-8 level but made just seven first-team appearances before heading up the M62 in the summer of 2022 to join Everton in a £15m deal slammed by furious United fans.
United boast a proud record of developing young talent and many supporters wanted then-boss Erik ten Hag to hand Garner a chance after an impressive loan spell at Nottingham Forest – only for United to offload him on the final day of the summer transfer window. But the Merseyside-born midfielder could finally be allowed to stake his place for a starting slot at Old Trafford as he enters the final six months of his contract with the Toffees.
According to the Mail, the Red Devils are targeting the 24-year-old in a cut-price deal that would bolster boss Amorim’s depleted midfield options.
Questions mark hang over the long-term futures of Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte while injuries to Mainoo and skipper Fernandes have left United short in the middle of the park. The crisis forced Amorim to use 18-year-old academy prospect Jack Fletcher for 45 minutes against Newcastle United on Boxing Day and even push centre-back Lisandro Martinez into midfield away at Aston Villa.
Everton are currently in contract negotiations with Garner and have the option to trigger a 12-month extension but United remain hopeful that they could lure the box-to-box midfielder back to his former home. Garner has made 103 appearances for the Toffees since joining four years ago and has previously said he has no regrets at leaving one of the biggest clubs in the world.
READ MORE: Kobbie Mainoo ‘considering permanent Man Utd exit’ despite fresh Ruben Amorim claimREAD MORE: Marcus Rashford discovers transfer fate as Barcelona decision comes to light
“When I came back to United, I felt like I had a good enough season to have a shot,” Garner told BBC Sport. “But unfortunately, I got injured on the first day and it set me back two or three weeks, so the manager did not get to see me in training and games.
“It was a decision where – after having two seasons in men’s football – I wanted to be part of a team and squad, ideally starting too. I knew I wasn’t going to get that at United so I made the decision to move here.
The 24-year-old is one of a number of targets that United hope will bolster boss Amorim’s depleted midfield options(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
“I could have gone on loan again and come back but I felt I would have been in the exact same position I was then. I didn’t want to be stuck in the mud, I needed to make a decision to leave one of the best clubs in the world, which was hard, but it is one I am happy I made.”
If United can’t convince Garner to return, other options include Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson – although these moves are unlikely to take place in the winter window.
