Conor Gallagher plays down talk of Man United switch despite lack of playing time at Atletico Madrid

Conor Gallagher is not happy with his playing time at Atletico Madrid but has no intention of returning to the Premier League in January.

Gallagher, who moved to Spain from Chelsea in August 2024, has appeared in each of Atletico’s 12 La Liga games this season but has started just twice.

He was linked with a move to Manchester United over the weekend but the 26-year-old insists he is happy at the Metropolitano, although he concedes he is not satisfied with the amount of minutes he is getting.

In an interview with AS, he said: “I’m not satisfied, I don’t think anyone would be if they don’t play as much as they would like, but I will continue to work very hard to, whenever I have the opportunity, help the team and hopefully more opportunities will come to be a starter.

“My girlfriend and I love living here. It’s an incredible city and we are very happy.”

I want to win titles with Atletico Madrid – Gallagher

Asked about a January exit, he added: “I’m very happy here. My goal is to win titles with Atleti and I want to have a more important role in the team. And, as I said, I will continue to work hard to play more minutes and be able to help the team.

“Sometimes it’s hard to go on for a few minutes and show everything I can do. But, as I said, the most important thing is to do the best for the coach and for the team, and that’s what I’m trying to achieve right now.”

Gallagher was a part of the England squad at both the 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championship but has fallen down the pecking order.

He still harbours ambitions of making the cut for the World Cup next summer but admits it is looking increasingly unlikely.

He said: “That’s one of my goals. I have spoken to [England coach] Thomas Tuchel and he has told me what he needs from me and what I have to do to get back into the team. And it seems that, right now, it is very difficult for me to get to that point. But, as I said before, I will continue to do my best to have more minutes and, hopefully, return to the national team.”

Atletico are in a ‘great moment’

Atleti are fourth in the Liga table, six points behind leaders Real Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side visit Getafe this Sunday when domestic football resumes after the winter break.

“We started a little slow [this season] but now we are in a great moment,” said Gallagher. ”We are giving everything in every match to get the three points and the whole squad is committed, which is very important. Both the starters and those who leave the bench are very important and I think that has been demonstrated in the last month.”

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