MANCHESTER United stars felt “sorry” for Alejandro Garnacho after he was savaged by fans on his return to Old Trafford.
The former United winger was targeted mercilessly throughout the game by the Stretford End for a perceived lack of loyalty after he left United for Stamford Bridge in a £40m move this summer.
Garnacho, 21, fell out with United boss Ruben Amorim after being left on the bench for the start of the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, which United lost 1-0.
After the game he expressed his frustration and criticised the team’s “s*** season”, leading to Amorim telling him to find another club.
He was an unused sub for Chelsea’s game against United on Saturday but was targeted for abuse by fans as he warmed up and also when he walked off the pitch.
While he rubbed some players up the wrong way at United – and was seen avoiding a handshake with Lenny Yoro as he warmed up – some of the more experienced players privately felt sorry for the reception he received.
A source said: “Garna is a very talented boy but there is no denying he could be a pain in the a*** while he was at United.
“A few of the more experienced players tried to talk to him and sometimes he listened, sometimes he didn’t.
“That said, a lot of the players felt sorry for him for the reception he got at Old Trafford. It wasn’t a surprise, but they just think he’s a young kid who’s been badly advised by the people around him.
“Plenty of players have left United in worse situations but he got an awful lot of stick.”
Garnacho will hope he can now get his feet under the table and kick-start his Chelsea career after a start in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln.
In the midweek game, he didn’t necessarily set the world alight, but this weekend’s clash against Brighton could be the perfect opportunity to announce himself.
He is one of the players who could benefit from the injury to Cole Palmer, with manager Enzo Maresca confirming the England star will be rested for three weeks.
Last season for United, Garnacho made 58 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists.
In total for the Red Devils, he registered 48 goal involvements in 144 appearances.
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