Alejandro Garnacho didn’t “have the best attitude” when he first emerged from the Manchester United development academy, according to Bruno Fernandes. After finally clinching his transfer to Chelsea, the 21-year-old has now completely parted ways with the team.
After leaving Atletico Madrid two years earlier, the Argentine winger signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in 2022. But when Garnacho was promoted to the first team under Erik ten Hag, United club captain Fernandes said his attitude wasn’t the best.
Speaking in November 2022, after Garnacho scored the winning goal in a Europa League group stage game against Real Sociedad, Fernandes told BT Sport: “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.”
In his first season with the Red Devils, Garnacho was given plenty of chances and finished with 19 Premier League matches, three goals, and two assists. Additionally, when the Portuguese strategist arrived as Ten Hag’s successor, the young player also appeared to be part of Ruben Amorim’s plans at first, but things changed as the summer wore on.
Garnacho publicly questioned the decision to bench him for the Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, which prompted Amorim to declare him surplus to needs at Old Trafford. During the 1-0 loss in Bilbao, Garnacho just entered the game in the second half. He informed the journalists after the game: “I played every round until we got to the final.
“And I played 20 minutes today – I don’t know. I’m going to try to enjoy the summer and see what happens next.”
He also criticised the club’s Premier League campaign as they finished in 15th place, claiming: “Obviously it’s hard for everyone. Our season was s***. We didn’t beat anyone in the league. We lacked a lot of things. When you don’t score goals, you always need more.”
As per The Athletic, Amorim is said to have told Garnacho: “You better hope you have a good agent this summer,” during a training ground discussion ahead of United’s final game of the season against Aston Villa, before the player made it clear that Chelsea was his destination of choice.
Despite not being in a haste to make a formal offer, the Blues managed to sign Garnacho in the closing moments of the summer transfer window, paying £40 million to remove him from United’s grasp on a long-term deal that would last until 2032.
Following his departure, Garnacho took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the Red Devils and their fans for his time in the northwest.
He wrote: “Dear Mánchester. After an unforgettable five years, this special chapter in my life now comes to a close. We have created moments that will stay with me forever, and I’m very grateful for this. To the coaches, staff, and my teammates, thank you for believing in me. Every time I wore the badge, I gave everything I had.
“I leave proud of what we achieved together and excited for what’s to come. Wishing the club nothing but success for the future, while I look forward to giving my all in the next chapter of my career.”
A number of Garnacho’s United team-mates were quick to reply to the post, with Kobbie Mainoo writing: “All the best bro,” while former Red Devils defender Sam Murray, added: “All the best hermano,” and the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and Fernandes liked the post.
Due to the current international break, Chelsea supporters will regrettably have to wait a little while to watch Garnacho play for his new team. When the Blues play Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, September 13, they will be back in action.
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