Alejandro Garnacho left Manchester United over a year ago and is now on loan at Aston Villa from Chelsea
Alejandro Garnacho of Aston Villa
Alejandro Garnacho is spending the season on loan at Aston Villa(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho has been told why he must “work” to get into the Aston Villa team. Garnacho left United in the summer of 2025 to complete a £40million move to Chelsea, but scored just eight goals across 43 appearances for the Londoners.And this summer, Garnacho moved again, leaving Chelsea to join Villa on loan, which includes an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. But he has only made three appearances for Villa this season, all as a substitute in the Premier League. Wednesday night saw Unai Emery's side in Carabao Cup action as they claimed a 3-1 win away at Coventry City to reach the fourth round. However, Garnacho was not included in the starting line-up and was not one of the five substitutes used by his boss.
READ MORE: JJ Gabriel told he's 'spitting his dummy out' as Roy Keane sends Man United message
When questioned about his decision not to give any minutes to the former United star, Emery offered advice to the Argentina international.
“Continue working. Work, work, train, work,” he said, via Birmingham Live. “When he can have minutes to play, try and play well. He is progressing, but we have players in front of him now.
“George [Hemmings] is playing fantastic. Alysson is also understanding things well and is giving us things I want. [Ibrahim] Mbaye also responded well.
Alejandro Garnacho of Aston Villa poses for a picture with Unai Emery
Unai Emery is the latest manager who will attempt to get the best out of Garnacho(Image: Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
*FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page*
“We want a competitive team and players to compete in the style we have. Garnacho is a little bit behind because of some circumstances we had in pre-season. It is time to be patient for the time he needs.”
Emery has previously stated that he wants to keep Garnacho at Villa for a “long time” as he shared the club’s plans for the former United star.
"We want him at the same level he was for Chelsea in the first part of last season and in Manchester two years ago," the Villa boss said last week.
"He is a player we have signed for a long time, and we will help him to feel comfortable and confident to get his quality."