Alejandro Garnacho left Manchester United for Chelsea in a £40million deal last summer
Alejandro Garnacho will face his former club on Saturday night(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho may be questioning his £40million departure from Manchester United as Chelsea are believed to be willing to offload him this summer.
The Argentine winger made the switch to the Blues last summer following five years progressing through the youth system and first team at Old Trafford. Garnacho’s two former and current clubs will meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
While he is representing the Blues this campaign, the 21-year-old has recently acknowledged he harbours certain regrets about his departure from Manchester. The winger joined United’s academy from Atletico Madrid in 2020 and made his first-team bow for United in April 2022.
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He was actually introduced against his present employers as a 91st-minute substitute for Anthony Elanga – who has also since departed United. Over 144 appearances Garnacho netted 26 goals, provided 22 assists and cultivated a devoted following amongst United supporters due to his enormous potential at Old Trafford.
Yet following a very public dispute with former boss Ruben Amorim, the youngster witnessed his playing time diminish at the club before ultimately departing entirely. Having spent nearly one campaign in west London, Garnacho has confessed his perspective on his “hurtful” Manchester exit has shifted.
Garnacho struggled with his fall from grace at United(Image: Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The 21-year-old told Premier League Productions that he regrets the way his United departure unfolded. He said: “Maybe yes, because I loved that club.
“They gave me the confidence from the start, from Spain, to bring me to the academy, then they brought me to the first team, so it was like four or five years, and amazing love from everyone, from the fans, the stadium, everything was really good.
“It’s just sometimes you have to change for the good of your life or the next steps. I only have good memories of Man United. I remember in the last six months I was just not playing like before at Manchester United. I started to be on the bench, it’s not a bad thing, I was only 20 years old, but in my mind, it was like I had to play every game.
“In my mind, maybe it is also on me, I started to do some bad things. But yes, it was just this moment in life, and sometimes you have to make decisions, and I am really proud to be here and still in the Premier League at a club like this.
“Everyone knows the team we have and the things we can do. I am proud to be here, but with United, I have nothing wrong to say about the club, no one in the club or my teammates. It’s just a moment in life that changes, and life continues. I have no regrets.”
The youngster fell out of favour with Ruben Amorim(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Garnacho is probably reconsidering his words after the Europa League final, where he made it abundantly clear he was dissatisfied with his recent playing time. Reflecting on the loss to Tottenham, he said: “Up until the final I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know.
“The final will influence [my decision] but the whole season, the situation of the club. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens afterwards.”
Garnacho’s approach was noticed by teammates, including United captain Bruno Fernandes. Speaking about the youngster after he netted the winner against Real Sociedad in November 2022, the Portuguese midfielder was unambiguous about his expectations of the winger.
Fernandes said: “He was good but he knows we expect a lot from him. He’s still really young, doing really well. At the beginning of the season, he was not at his best.
“On the [pre-season] tour he did not have the best attitude. That’s why he didn’t get his chance until now. He’s getting his chances because he’s training better, he’s having the correct attitude.”
It appears this approach could be returning to trouble Garnacho as his new club are dissatisfied with his contributions. The 21-year-old has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 38 appearances so far this campaign and is yet to reach the standards that the Blues may demand from him.
Chelsea are reportedly open to selling the winger(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
It has been reported that Chelsea could be prepared to approve a departure with Liam Rosenior unconvinced about Garnacho’s role in the team. The winger has six years left on his deal at Stamford Bridge but has already been linked with a switch to Boca Juniors.
Garnacho has also recently wiped all references to his current club from his TikTok page, fuelling speculation surrounding an imminent departure. Rosenior has spoken highly of the Argentine but acknowledged that his tactical setup does not suit the winger.
He said: “Garna is a top player. We have changed a little bit tactically since I came in. I have wanted to dominate midfield areas, which has meant at times I have only played with one winger.
“But Garna is an outstanding player. What I have really liked in this period is his reaction to not starting. He has been training very, very well. He has shown real positivity.”
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