Bruno Fernandes Harsh Words to Alejandro Garnacho Back In 2022

In the whirlwind world of football transfers, few moves have raised as many eyebrows as Alejandro Garnacho's £40 million switch from Manchester United to Chelsea on August 30, 2025. The 21-year-old Argentine winger, once hailed as a prodigy at Old Trafford, now finds himself at Stamford Bridge on a long-term deal until 2032.

As Garnacho embarks on this new chapter, echoes from his past—specifically, pointed comments from former captain Bruno Fernandes in 2022—linger like a cautionary tale. Those remarks, centred on Garnacho's attitude, offer a glimpse into potential pitfalls that could shape, or hinder, his career trajectory at Chelsea.

The 2022 Comments: A Tough Love Moment

Flash back to November 2022. Manchester United were navigating the Europa League group stages under Erik ten Hag, and a teenage Garnacho announced himself with a decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad. It was a breakthrough moment for the then-18-year-old, but Fernandes, ever the candid leader, tempered the praise with constructive criticism in a post-match interview.

"He was good but he knows we expect a lot from him," Fernandes said. "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 chances because he's training better, he's having the correct attitude."

Fernandes' public call-out underscored the high standards at a club like United: talent alone isn't enough—discipline and mindset are non-negotiable. The comments came at a time when Garnacho was still finding his feet, and they seemingly motivated him, as he went on to feature more prominently in subsequent seasons.

From Old Trafford Fallout to Stamford Bridge

Fast forward to 2025, and history appears to have repeated itself, albeit with a different manager. Garnacho's departure from Manchester United stemmed from a reported falling out with new boss Ruben Amorim. After United's dismal 2024-25 Premier League campaign, where they finished a shocking 15th, and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, Garnacho publicly voiced frustrations over his limited playing time. This didn't sit well with Amorim, who left Garnacho out of pre-season activities—echoing the very issues Fernandes flagged three years prior.

In a tense training ground exchange before United's final match against Aston Villa, Amorim reportedly told Garnacho:

"You better hope you have a good agent this summer."

Garnacho, undeterred, made his desire to join Chelsea clear, leading to the swift £40 million deal, which includes a 10% sell-on clause for United. His farewell message on Instagram was gracious, thanking the club and fans, and it garnered likes from teammates, including Fernandes himself—suggesting no lingering bad blood on a personal level.

Potential Impact on Garnacho's Chelsea Career

Garnacho has shown growth since 2022. Post-2022, he became a key player for United, contributing goals and assists while earning caps for Argentina. If he's learned from past critiques, this move could be a fresh start, allowing him to thrive in Chelsea's dynamic system. Analysts note his positive stats—pace, dribbling, and finishing—as reasons Chelsea pursued him, viewing the £40 million as a bargain for a proven Premier League talent.

In the end, Garnacho's Chelsea career is his to define. Will he heed the lessons from Fernandes and Amorim, or will old habits resurface? Only time—and his performances—will tell.