Alejandro Garnacho gets brutal treatment in Chelsea win as Man Utd fans rub salt in wounds
Chelsea handed Alejandro Garnacho his first start since joining the club from Manchester United in their Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City but the winger endured a difficult night
Alejandro Garnacho was booed by Lincoln City fans as he struggled to make an impression on his first start for Chelsea as they were given an almighty scare in the Carabao Cup by their League One opponents.
Garnacho, 21, was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge all summer after being informed he had no future at Manchester United by Ruben Amorim towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign. He didn't become a Blue until late in the summer transfer window, though, swapping Manchester for London in a £40million switch.
The Argentina international was handed his first Chelsea start by Enzo Maresca in Tuesday night's meeting with Lincoln after failing to come off the bench in the Blues' 2-1 loss away at United on Saturday - and he did not receive a warm welcome by the Imps, whose fans also serenaded him with a chant of "You're f***ing s***" when he was substituted on the hour mark.
Prior to that, Garnacho's every touch was booed by home fans at the LNER Stadium as Lincoln fought to pull off one of the biggest cup shocks of the season. And as Garnacho struggled to make an impression in the first half, Lincoln hit the front through Rob Street following a defensive mix-up from the visitors.
Some gleeful Manchester United fans revelled in seeing him fail to impress against League One opposition. One fan wrote on social media: "Garnacho is being substituted against Lincoln. Yeah! We weren't the problem."
Others were quick to point out the attacker had struggled to register a goal contribution in his three appearances for Chelsea so far, with plenty posting "003". Another fan wrote: This Garnacho downfall … lol. He made the worst decision joining Chelsea!"
Fortunately for Garnacho and Chelsea, they spared their blushes with a second half rally as quickfire goals from Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte helped turn the game on its head shortly before Garnacho was withdrawn.
Garnacho's early withdrawal was likely due to his lack of action in pre-season for Manchester United after it became clear he would be leaving the club. The winger will be hoping to build on his first Blues start at the weekend when Chelsea host Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
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