Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hinted that Alejandro Garnacho could be in line for his first start when the Blues travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United this weekend. But the Italian tactician has warned the Argentine winger to brace himself for a frosty reception from his former club’s supporters.

Garnacho, who left United for £40 million in the summer after falling out with boss Ruben Amorim following the Red Devils’ Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, has so far featured only as a substitute against Brentford and Bayern Munich.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca praised the 20-year-old’s attitude and suggested he is ready to start against his old club.

“In the last two games, he was inside very good. I think he’s ready to start,” Maresca said.
“I don’t know what’s happened to him [at Manchester United]. It’s always difficult. The other day, against Bayern Munich, [Marc] Cucurella every time touched the ball [got booed]. The noise was not the best one. But you have to learn also to handle these kinds of things.”

Chelsea will be hoping Garnacho can inspire them to a crucial win as they aim for their third victory of the season against a struggling United side.

Opinion: Garnacho’s Real Test Begins Now

For Alejandro Garnacho, Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford will not just be another league game — it could be the defining moment of his young Chelsea career. Leaving a club like Manchester United is never simple, and doing so amid controversy ensures emotions will run high when he steps back onto that famous pitch.

The boos, the jeers, and the hostility will come, but how Garnacho handles it will reveal his character as much as his talent. Great players thrive in adversity, and for a winger who carries both flair and fire, this could be the perfect stage to show United what they let go.

For Chelsea, this is more than just chasing a win — it’s about proving that their investment in Garnacho was worth every penny. For the player, it’s about resilience, maturity, and perhaps even redemption.

One thing is certain: all eyes will be on the young Argentine when he sets foot at Old Trafford. Will he wilt under the weight of the boos, or rise above them to write his own story in blue?