Nicky Butt rips into Alejandro Garnacho and reveals what he was really like in Man Utd academy
Former Manchester United academy chief Nicky Butt has given a damning assessment of Alejandro Garnacho's time at the club's academy.
Butt, who was heavily involved in Garnacho's development in the academy, has implied the Argentinian's attitude hindered his spell at Old Trafford, having burst into the first-team at a young age.
Garnacho scored 18 goals in 93 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils, having made his debut as a 17-year-old back in 2022.
The winger joined Chelsea in the summer after being told to find a new club by former United boss Ruben Amorim, where he has scored eight goals and provided four assists to date.
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Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Butt revealed what Garnacho was really like behind the scenes during his time at the academy.
"He signed at 16," Butt explained. "I was academy manager at the time and he signed in a deal where they also signed Alvaro (Carreras), Garnacho was always a bit stand-off-ish, he had a high opinion of himself."
The 51-year-old claimed Garnacho got too far ahead of himself after breaking into the first-team, believing his own hype after scoring the Puskas award-winning bicycle kick at Goodison Park.
"I thought he had an edge about him, and when he got into the first team, I will just say what I think because I was there - he got above his station way too quick."
"He got superstar status way too quick, and that's not a former player saying they get paid too much," Butt added. "I hope young players get paid millions, but he got superstar status too quick and he obviously scored the bicycle kick which was phenomenal."
Butt didn't place all the blame on the youngster, suggesting that senior figures around him at Old Trafford should have kept his ego under control as he continued to develop, but didn't hold back at his overall attitude.
"Someone in that club or team at the time should have been swatting him down, but the best thing Man United did was sell him because, forget his ability, and I don't think he is that great anyway, but I thought his attitude was a disgrace when he was at Man United.
"More importantly when he left, and if you completely disrespect your teammates and the football club when you leave, then that's it.
"He [Garnacho] was 21 or whatever when he left the club but you can't be up your own backside thinking you are as big or bigger than Man United.
"In an interview recently I watched it and he said 'I thought I should have played every game'. I was thinking number one, you weren't even that good, and number two you are young, be humble."
However, Butt did praise Garnacho for having a strong mentality, revealing that he would always keep going no matter what, whereas other players would perhaps go into a shell if they made mistakes.
"What I would say is that he was very mentally strong. We had a lad called Anthony Elanga, I thought he was better, if he went at the right-back and lost the first three he wouldn't do it again. He wouldn't want to give the ball away.
"Garnacho had that mentality to just keep going, that's his biggest strength and that is why every now and again he will do something unbelievable. He has massive belief in himself," Butt added.
Tom Jenkins