Alejandro Garnacho already faces accusations of switching off defensively at Chelsea after debuting against Brentford.
The former Manchester United player came on for Joao Pedro in the 79th minute with the scoreline level at 1-1 and had an immediate positive impact. Garnacho ran at Aaron Hickey, first forcing him into the penalty area before pulling back a cross that Keane Lewis-Potter cleared to an unmarked Moises Caicedo, who fired in.
That goal turned the game around after Brentford took a first-half lead, but it did not last. Fabio Carvalho came on in the 90th minute and equalised three minutes later.
Garnacho was the closest Chelsea player to him when the one-time Liverpool attacker tapped in at the back post. That has not gone unnoticed, with Jamie Redknapp highlighting his role in the goal on Sky Sports after the match and Shay Given later doing likewise on Match of the Day.
“I know he’s an attacking player [Garnacho], but this is his warning,” he said while analysing a long throw-in from Kevin Schade when the winger did not mark Keane Lewis-Potter at the back post. “If that’s flicked on, he’s got a tap-in round the back.
The following clip then shows the throw that led to Carvalho equalising. “Now, in the last minute of the game, you know what’s coming,” he said.
“Keep an eye on Garnacho and Carvalho at the back again. All’s Garnacho’s got to do is mark his man [and] he doesn’t score; he switches off, he’s too late.
Given continued: “His body shape’s all wrong, Garnacho. He’s watching the ball; he should be glued to Carvalho, man-to-man, get tight, don’t let your man score.
“He switches off, and then he reacts after, but it’s too late, it’s in the back of the net. It’s poor defending.”
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis, then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
The countdown is on to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign – and our pre-season guide is the ideal way to prepare for the action ahead.
As well as in-depth analysis and opinion on your club, we turn the spotlight on every team battling for top-flight glory – or simply survival in the toughest league in the world!
Also full fixtures guide so you don’t miss a game in what is set to be a thrilling season.
