Alejandro Garnacho will step out at Old Trafford on Saturday for the first time since leaving Manchester United – but it comes amid claims that several senior players had urged him to rein in his selfish tendencies before his summer move to Chelsea.
The winger was cut loose back in the summer, with the Blues eventually signing him for a fee of £40million following a protracted saga.
Garnacho is yet to start for Chelsea in the short time since swapping Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge.
However, he's in contention to feature tonight when two of the Premier League's biggest teams do battle.
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Now, according to The Sun, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Harry Maguire privately told the 20-year-old winger to put the team’s needs ahead of his own prior to his departure.
Despite their interventions, however, Garnacho reportedly refused to change his approach, frustrating not only team-mates but also manager Ruben Amorim, who felt the Argentine was creating a negative atmosphere around the squad.
Those tensions, it's claimed, escalated across last season, with Garnacho’s fiery social media activity and occasional comments to the press adding fuel to the fire.
Alejandro Garnacho and Ruben Amorim had a strained relationship during their time at Man Utd together
|REUTERS
Amorim, who was initially excited to work with the explosive forward after taking charge last November, is said to have been left exasperated after an incident in Plzen last December, which further strained their relationship.
The United boss also grew weary of Garnacho’s mood swings and on-pitch tantrums when matches did not go his way.
Eventually, a parting of ways became inevitable, with Amorim reportedly telling club chiefs that a sale was in the best interests of the dressing room.
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Garnacho completed his move to Chelsea three weeks ago, a transfer that stunned many United supporters given his status as one of the club’s brightest academy graduates.
The Argentine will now return to Manchester with Enzo Maresca's side this weekend in what is expected to be a hostile reception from the Stretford End.
The winger has made an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge, with his direct running and creativity earning praise from Blues fans.
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Bruno Fernandes tried to put Alejandro Garnacho in line while they were Man Utd team-mates
| GETTYBut Amorim is said to have no regrets about his decision to sanction the sale, believing the move has helped create a more harmonious United dressing room.
Saturday’s clash will provide the first real test of that belief. If Garnacho is able to inspire Chelsea to victory at Old Trafford, United’s hierarchy may face questions about whether they were too hasty to let one of their most talented youngsters leave.
United enter the fixture under pressure, sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League after just one win in four games.
Amorim has insisted that his project is still on track, but defeat to Chelsea could intensify scrutiny on his position before the international break.
Speaking prior to the clash on Friday, the 40-year-old insisted he still had the backing of his superiors.
When asked about recent discussions with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Red Devils' minority owner, Amorim responded: “He offered me a new contract!
Alejandro Garnacho will be out to wound Man Utd when Chelsea visit Old Trafford on Saturday night
| PA"No, it was a normal thing to show the support, explaining that it's a long project, which he has said many times.
“We spoke about normal things with Omar, Jason and him. It was a normal meeting and we had several.
“In this moment it's normal for you to pay attention to that. This is the football club with maybe more pressure than any other in the world and we want to win.”