Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho was the latest victim in a disturbing trend of targeted burglaries against footballers, as masked robbers attempted to break into his £3.85 million mansion in Altrincham while he was away playing in a Europa League clash against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.

The incident occurred around 8 pm, when two men dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas approached what they believed to be Garnacho's residence. However, in a bizarre twist, the robbers mistakenly targeted a neighbouring property.

According to reports, the pair buzzed the intercom of the wrong house to check if anyone was home. A vigilant dog walker in the area noticed the suspicious behavior and raised an alarm.

"I was about to take the dog out but I saw two men walk past so I waited. They were wearing dark clothes and balaclavas so I wondered what they were up to," the witness said.

"I then shouted, 'What are you doing?' They ran off pretty quickly. I think the security was alerted soon after - and they have not been back."

Private security guards responded swiftly, but the intruders had already fled the scene. It is understood that Garnacho's home was not breached, and no property was stolen.

"They were targeting Garnacho - but they got the wrong home," a local resident confirmed. "They were after his house as it was 8 pm and they would have known he was playing at Old Trafford."

Following the unsettling event, Garnacho, 20, has reportedly listed the property for sale and is said to be reconsidering his long-term stay in Manchester. The Argentine international, who has become a key part of Erik ten Hag's plans, joins a growing list of United players affected by such incidents. Past break-ins have involved the homes of Victor Lindelof, Paul Pogba, and Jesse Lingard, prompting increased concerns over player security during match days.

A Manchester United spokesperson confirmed that the attempted break-in occurred at a neighbouring property, not Garnacho's residence, and that the club is working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of its players.

Garnacho, meanwhile, is likely to leave Man United in the summer. The Argentine was reportedly told to find a new club by Ruben Amorim and is likely to seek pastures new next season. The Argentine, who won the World Cup in 2022 and is a teammate of Lionel Messi, is expected to join any of the fellow European clubs as he is expected to have plenty of suitors.