Manchester United sold Alejandro Garnacho in the summer window. It was a transfer filled with controversies, given how he was training alone and his situation with the board at Old Trafford was quite public.
It was almost as if the Argentine international was pushing to make a move, and that was to a direct rival, Chelsea.
This unsurprisingly has created this angriness among the Premier League heavyweights’ supporters, given how much they loved him after he emerged through the academy. And this was a departure that raised eyebrows not only at Old Trafford but also beyond in the footballing world.
Garnacho explains Man United exit
"Opportunity to improve"- Premier League star explains why he quit Manchester United for rival giants.
Garnacho completes £40m move from Manchester United to Chelsea on long-term deal.
Now Garnacho has come out to explain his Old Trafford exit. He admitted that the 2024‑25 campaign with his former employers turned out to be “a bit difficult”. He insists that the new face on the touchline at M16 alongside the new system that he wanted to deploy at the club didn’t seem to suit his style. And Garnacho felt that his role at United was uncertain.
He explained (via. Chelsea Chronicle):
“Obviously, in my last season at United, with the new manager, there were a lot of changes in the situation at the club and it was a bit difficult.
“I still played a lot of games last season, mainly from the start or sometimes from the bench.
”But when I spoke with this club, with the manager, it’s important also the style of play we have now. He explained a lot to me in a video call with him, so I think it was a very important move for me and an opportunity to improve as a player in a team like Chelsea.”
WAFU Opinion
"Opportunity to improve"- Premier League star explains why he quit Manchester United for rival giants.
Alejandro Garnacho Manchester United exit came after a lot of drama.
Garnacho can say what he wants, but there were a lot of inconsistencies from his end as well. And while Amorim was looking to push through a new system, he at the left wing would have worked equally well. In fact, in the current system at Old Trafford, he can play in that left wing-back role as well.
And given that he wanted to push for a transfer away from United. There were a lot of clubs interested in his signatures, but the fact that he held on to his position of a transfer to Chelsea also put Manchester United in a critical role.
Moreover, of all the clubs, he went to Chelsea. One club where roles are mostly blurred for everyone. He now faces so much competition that he will always have to be on his toes and give in those performances. At United he got a chance to express himself, and that is something that he wouldn’t get a lot of at Chelsea. Especially if he puts in inconsistent displays like he did at Old Trafford, there are a lot of other players waiting on the wings to eat his minutes.
Do you think the above explanation from Garnacho over his transfer from Manchester United to Chelsea does justice? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.