Alejandro Garnacho will make an emotional return to Old Trafford when Manchester United welcome Chelsea in the Premier League today and, Enzo Maresca is yet to decide whether the winger is mentally ready to face his former club.
Softtfootball reported that the 20-year-old winger made the switch from the Theatre of Dreams to Stamford Bridge during the summer window after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim. Garnacho had been a key figure in Amorim’s plans until he was surprisingly dropped for the Europa League final.
Having featured in every previous knockout match in the tournament, the decision immediately sparked speculation about his future. Eventually, his £40million move to the Blues made him United’s fourth-biggest departure ever, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku and Angel Di Maria.
Garnacho made his Chelsea debut off the bench against Brentford last weekend. The 21-year-old endured a mixed evening, playing a vital role in Moises Caicedo’s goal which put Chelsea 2-1 up in the 85th minute, before losing Fabio Carvalho from a long throw-in as Brentford snatched a stoppage-time equaliser.
According to Fabrizio Romano via his X handle, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca spoke about Alejandro Garnacho ahead of his return to Old Trafford today. The Italian coach revealed that he will hold a conversation with the Argentine to gauge his reaction if selected to start.
The 21-year-old forward was deemed ready for a starting role, though Maresca noted he must continue improving the defensive side of his game. The post reads:
Maresca: I’ll chat with Garnacho if we decide to start him… I want to see how he’d react. Players need time to adapt. It’s a normal process. At Brentford, two or three minutes before the goal we conceded exactly the same with player behind Garnacho was alone again.
Chelsea are looking for their first win at Old Trafford in 12 years and Maresca could turn to the former jewel of United’s academy to end that long wait, but how the Argentina star will be greeted by the Old Trafford fans remains unclear, given the divided opinions surrounding his departure from the club.
Having had a mixed game last time out, Garnacho will be eager to right that wrong against his former team, and now Enzo Maresca hasn’t revealed whether the player will start against United today.
Ahead of today’s clash, both clubs are desperate for maximum points to strengthen their league position, but that’s about where the common ground ends.
For Enzo Maresca, the focus is on sparking a reaction after Chelsea’s midweek Champions League setback against Bayern Munich and snapping back into domestic form following a 2-2 stalemate with Brentford in Week 4.
As for Amorim, the stakes are even higher. United’s campaign has gone off the rails in alarming fashion, and recent results have only piled on the scrutiny. A shock cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town, a narrow last-gasp win over Burnley, and a humbling derby thrashing at Man City have left the Red Devils staring down one of their worst starts in recent years.
