Alejandro Garnacho opened up on his torrid Manchester United exit after starting his first Champions League tie for new side Chelsea on the heels of his £40million move at the end of August.
The Carrington academy graduate was determined to make the transfer to west London after being added to former head coach Ruben Amorim’s notorious ‘bomb squad’ of players training away from the first team.
Garnacho – along with Antony, Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho – had been informed by the manager that he would no longer feature for his side after roiling tension towards the end of last season.
The Argentina international even invited the ire of the fans by sporting Rashford’s Aston Villa shirt in an Instagram post, further underscoring his desire to leave Old Trafford.
After holding out for the Blues however, Garnacho was able to move south and on Tuesday night, register his first assist for his new club in their 1-0 win against Benfica.
But after the match, the 21-year-old had a few words on his previous one – stressing that he had ‘nothing bad to say’ about the Red Devils.
‘I think it was a difficult moment there, just training alone,’ Garnacho said during an interview with TNT. ‘But I’ve got nothing bad to say about my old club Manchester United.’
‘There are just bad moments in life… I’m very happy to be here now, play in this competition and get 3 points today.
‘When we were young we dreamed of playing Champions League nights and we are here now so I’m very happy.
‘It’s three big points. We needed that after losing our first game so we’re all very happy.’
Garnacho has already returned to Old Trafford this season, but as an unused substitute during Chelsea’s chaotic 2-1 defeat to the hosts earlier this month.
Rather than receive a cordial welcome, Garnacho was targeted with chants during his warm-ups, and boos throughout the contest.
As Garnacho warmed up ahead of kick off, United fans could be heard singing: ‘Who’s that t*** from Argentina? Who’s that money-grabbing w**re?
‘Garnacho is his name and he hasn’t got a brain and he won’t be winning trophies anymore!’
The song continued throughout the first half of the game. It was the same chant that United fans targeted Carlos Tevez with when he swapped United for Manchester City in 2009 in a £47m deal.
Meanwhile, at the end of the match, Garnacho was seen on the pitch with his former team-mates.
This included Amad Diallo, and the pair were deep in conversation before he later briefly greeted Bruno Fernandes.
Garnacho then walked across the pitch solemnly with his hood up and gloves on as he battled to hide himself from the Manchester rain.
