Alejandro Garnacho might find himself facing his former team, Manchester United, for the first time this weekend. The question arises: does he still yearn for his old club?
Last August, Garnacho made the switch to Chelsea in a significant £40 million deal, committing to a seven-year contract that extends through the 2031-32 season.
This Saturday night, Stamford Bridge will set the stage for a compelling clash as Chelsea hosts Manchester United. Garnacho’s anticipation for the match is evident from his recent activity on social media.
Notably, Garnacho shared a video tribute from a Manchester United fan, adding a reflective touch to his profile.
These actions come amid rumors that Chelsea is considering bolstering its lineup in Garnacho’s position this summer.
The Telegraph reports that the club is actively seeking a forward capable of playing off the left flank, which could spell competition for Garnacho’s spot.
Alejandro Garnacho has deleted all of the Chelsea-related videos from his TikTok account
Garnacho also reposted a video of a Manchester United fan account paying tribute to him (left)
On his account, Garnacho has just four videos – which are all from his Man United days
Since signing for the Blues, Garnacho has gone on to make 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing four assists.
On Friday, the winger opened up about leaving United, admitting his exit ‘hurt’ after a series of clashes with the club – that he seemingly now regrets – before his move.
He fell out with then-head coach Ruben Amorim after going public with his frustration at only being brought on as a late substitute in United’s dismal Europa League final defeat by Tottenham in May. His brother Roberto also stoked the fire by posting a message on social media criticising the head coach for throwing Garnacho ‘under the bus’.
Daily Mail Sport reported in June that the winger was among five United players given permission to delay their return to training while they looked for new clubs. Garnacho is understood to have been told to move on by Amorim in front of his team-mates, and he eventually did that.
Before he left United, meanwhile, he posted a picture of himself wearing an Aston Villa shirt with the name of Marcus Rashford on – his former United team-mate who was also out of favour under Amorim.
His actions didn’t go down well with fans, but he has now spoken out on his departure and how he has no ill-feelings towards United after five years at the club.
When asked by Premier League Productions if he regretted how the move panned out, 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 bring 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.’
After a rocky start to life under Amorim, the Portuguese had praised Garnacho’s work to earn a spot back in his team, despite there being no natural fit in his back-three system.
The natural winger slotted into a No 10 role, but things went south again and he fell down the pecking order again.
Garnacho could face United on Saturday for the first time since leaving Chelsea last summer
He left in the summer on the back of a string of clashes, including with ex-boss Ruben Amorim
He also received criticism for wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford’s name on
That, he has said, was a key reason as to why he left – admitting that he made some questionable moves when he was out of the team.
‘I remember in the last six months I was just not playing like before at Manchester United,’ he said. ‘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. Sometimes, we have better moments or worse moments, I am proud to be here but with United, I have nothing wrong to say about the club, no one in the club or the team-mates. It’s just a moment in life that changes and life continues. I have no regrets.’
