Alejandro Garnacho got a move to Chelsea this summer after falling out with Ruben Amorim, but Bruno Fernandes' past comments on the ex-Manchester United winger could serve as a warning to his new club
Bruno Fernandes claimed that Alejandro Garnacho didn't "have the best attitude" when he broke through the Manchester United youth academy. The 21-year-old has now parted ways with the club altogether after finally securing his move to Chelsea.
The Argentine winger signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils back in 2022 after making the move from Atletico Madrid two years prior. However, United club captain Fernandes claimed Garnacho didn't have the best attitude when he made the step up to the first team under Erik ten Hag.
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."
Garnacho received a wealth of opportunity in his first season for the Red Devils, racking up three goals and two assists in the Premier League from 19 appearances. And while the youngster also initially looked to be a part of Ruben Amorim's plans when the Portuguese tactician arrived as Ten Hag's successor, things changed heading into the summer.
Amorim's decision to deem Garnacho surplus to requirements at Old Trafford came after the winger publicly questioned the decision to bench him for the Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Garnacho only came on in the second half of the 1-0 loss in Bilbao. After the match, he told the media: "Until we reached the final, I played every round.
"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.
While the Blues were in no great rush to submit a formal offer for Garnacho, they eventually snagged their man in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, coughing up £40million to take him off United's hands on a long-term contract until 2032.
Taking to Instagram in the wake of his departure, Garnacho was quick to thank the Red Devils and their supporters for his time in the north west.
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.
Chelsea fans will unfortunately have to wait a little while before they see Garnacho in action for his new club, given the current international break. The Blues return to action come Saturday, September 13 when they face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.