Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has criticised Manchester United’s handling of Alejandro Garnacho’s situation in the summer.
Alejandro Garnacho was a vital part of Rúben Amorim’s squad at Manchester United last season, making 58 appearances in all competitions.
The Argentine, however, was told to leave by the Portuguese manager following an interview Garnacho did after United’s loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao, where he criticised Amorim’s decision not to start him.
Despite strong interest from many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Garnacho eventually joined Chelsea from Manchester United in the summer after coming close to a transfer in January.
Following protracted negotiations between the two Premier League clubs, Chelsea and United agreed on a deal worth £40 million for Garnacho, plus a 10% sell-on clause.
Maresca opens up on Garnacho’s situation at United
Following Chelsea’s comprehensive 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night, Enzo Maresca opened up on Garnacho’s time in London so far, and claimed his lack of training at United has had an impact on his start to life in the capital.
“Work hard – this has been the main message when he joined us. In terms of quality on the ball we know he is good; to play with us he has to work hard. On the ball he’s doing well, but also off the ball he’s working hard.
“He arrived from a club where he was not training 100 per cent so his physical condition was not good. Slowly, now he is better.
“He knows that to play with us he needs to be good on the ball and off the ball otherwise he’s not going to play.”
Garnacho made a slow start to life at Chelsea, but now seems to have found his groove, having registered two goals and two assists in his last four games.
Garnacho’s quality is clear
United fans will know better than anyone how frustrating watching Garnacho can be. He misses a lot of chances, often shoots when he should pass and attempts a large number of unsuccessful dribbles.
Some of those weaknesses, however, can become his biggest strengths. He is poor in front of goal, but the fact that he constantly gets himself into dangerous positions is a promising sign and should he learn to become more composed in front of goal, he could become one of the most productive wingers in Europe.
Last season in the Premier League, he only completed 32% of his dribbles. On the face of it, this may look negative, but the fact that he keeps going relentlessly means that at some point, sooner or later, during a game, he is going to create something of substance.
He’s comfortable with both feet, so he is a two-way threat, has good pace, is comfortable holding the width and coming inside; he is a constant threat. All the raw materials are there for him to become a top player.
His attitude off the field, however, was often cited as an issue. It’s therefore understandable that United wanted to part ways. That being said, in this current market, it was remarkably poor business from United to only secure a fee of £40 million, when inferior players were going for fees well in excess of £50 million.
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