Alejandro Garnacho had an evening to forget as he suffered defeat in his first match against Manchester United as a Chelsea player.
Carrington graduate Alejandro Garnacho started on the bench at Stamford Bridge, but an early injury to Estevao meant he made his first appearance against Manchester United since his £40 million exit in the summer.
In the build-up to the match, Garnacho hinted at missing United through his social media usage, but the travelling fans at Stamford Bridge made it clear that the 22-year-old is not welcome back after he burned bridges on his way out of Manchester.
United beat Chelsea 1-0 in the capital, and Garnacho had a terrible time up against former teammate Diogo Dalot.
Alejandro Garnacho head down playing for Chelsea
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
What is your message to Alejandro Garnacho after Man Utd do the double over Chelsea in 2025/26…
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea looks dejected during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2026
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Diogo Dalot was a role model to Alejandro Garnacho at Man Utd
Dalot has become a leader in the current United dressing room, and while his performances have often come under fire, his professionalism and commitment have never been in doubt.
During their time together at Old Trafford, Dalot gave some key advice to Garnacho to try and keep the young winger grounded.
As per TBR Football, Dalot said in 2024: “He just needs to work really hard in training, then the opportunities will start to come and then it will be up to him to show us teammates and show us as a club that he deserved it.”
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“He needs to know that the expectations, the responsibility, the demands will become higher and higher when he starts scoring goals, when he starts playing good.
“In the highest level everything will increase, and he has to keep his head in a good place which I always help him here inside the dressing room. But ultimately it will be up to him if he wants to reach the top”.
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A massive performance and victory…
Manchester United players celebrate
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Alejandro Garnacho left embarrassed by Diogo Dalot
Dalot’s advice to Garnacho was good, but clearly the young winger ignored it.
Garnacho lashed out at Ruben Amorim before making a dramatic exit from Old Trafford. Once billed as a future star at United, his name is now banished among the fanbase.
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When Garnacho came up against Dalot at Stamford Bridge, there was one clear winner. As per SofaScore, Dalot won 80% of his duels against Chelsea.
Garnacho lost possession 15 times, and ultimately, he was marked out of the game by his former teammate who pushed him to succeed at Old Trafford.
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