The clash between Manchester United and Chelsea is poised to be more than just another Premier League fixture, especially for Alejandro Garnacho and his family. This match marks a significant return to Old Trafford for Garnacho, but this time, he'll be wearing the blue of Chelsea, a stark contrast to his previous association with the Red Devils.

Just a few weeks ago, Garnacho's departure from Manchester United was confirmed, and now he's back, eager to make a statement in his new colors. The circumstances surrounding his exit and subsequent move to Chelsea have added an extra layer of intrigue to this particular game.

Rewind to April 2022, and you'll find a young Alejandro Garnacho fulfilling a dream. He made his debut for Manchester United, albeit a brief cameo, coming on as a substitute in the dying minutes of a match against, ironically, Chelsea. That game, a 1-1 draw, occurred during a tumultuous period under Ralf Rangnick's interim management.

While his time on the pitch was limited, that debut represented a monumental moment for the Argentine winger. Stepping onto the hallowed turf of Old Trafford, sharing the same field as his boyhood idol, was a dream realized. It was the kind of experience that young players cherish and that fuels their aspirations.

The significance of that moment wasn't lost on Garnacho's family. His father, Alex, and brother, Roberto, were present in the stands, their emotions overflowing as they witnessed Alejandro's debut. Tears of pride and joy flowed freely as they watched their son and brother embark on his Premier League journey.

Later that year, Garnacho experienced another significant milestone. He stepped into the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo, even inheriting the Portuguese legend's chant from the Stretford End faithful. At that juncture, it seemed as though he was destined for a long and successful career with Manchester United.

The trajectory seemed clear: Garnacho was a rising star, a player with immense potential who would become a key figure in the Red Devils' future. The fans embraced him, and the club appeared to be fully invested in his development. However, football is a game of constant change, and fortunes can shift dramatically in a short space of time.

Fast forward less than four years, and the script has been completely rewritten. The Argentine winger is now preparing to face his former club, Manchester United, as a Chelsea player. It's a twist of fate that few would have predicted, a testament to the unpredictable nature of the sport.

So, what led to this dramatic turn of events? Reports suggest that Garnacho's relationship with former United manager Ruben Amorim became strained soon after Amorim's arrival. Disagreements and clashes in perspective seemed to plague their working relationship.

The situation deteriorated to the point where Garnacho was reportedly relegated to the "bomb squad" at Carrington, effectively frozen out of the first-team picture. This drastic measure highlighted the severity of the breakdown in communication and trust between player and manager.

Sources close to Amorim indicate that he has no regrets about his decision to sideline Garnacho. This unwavering stance suggests that the issues between them were deep-rooted and irreconcilable. It paints a picture of a manager who felt that Garnacho's presence was detrimental to the team's harmony and progress.

The manager's dismissive attitude towards Garnacho was evident in his press conferences. He seemed reluctant to even acknowledge his former player, brushing aside questions about Garnacho's return with a curt response.

When asked about the winger's return, he stated, "He’s not our player – I’m focused on my own players. I just want to win games. I don't care who plays for the opponent, what people are going to say in the end, if the other player is going to play well."

The irony of the situation is palpable. Garnacho now has the opportunity to potentially inflict further pressure on his former boss. A strong performance against Manchester United could intensify the scrutiny on Amorim's position and raise questions about his handling of the situation.

Despite the manager's public pronouncements of indifference, it's unlikely that he is completely unfazed by Garnacho's return. The prospect of his former player shining against his team must be a source of concern, even if he refuses to admit it.

When Amorim took over as manager, he was reportedly enthusiastic about working with Garnacho. He saw the young winger as a player with immense potential and believed he could unlock his talent. However, those initial hopes quickly faded.

Cracks began to appear just a month into their working relationship. The manager reportedly took issue with Garnacho's body language after being substituted in a game. He felt that the youngster wasn't receptive to his instructions and that this behavior would become a recurring problem.

As a consequence, Garnacho was dropped from the squad for the following game, a significant derby win. From that point onward, the relationship between the two was strained.

The situation escalated further, with reports suggesting that Amorim would have been willing to personally drive Garnacho to London in January, but a transfer never materialized at that time.

Amorim reportedly urged Garnacho to prioritize the team over individual ambitions. He felt that the youngster was too focused on personal glory and needed to embrace a more selfless approach. However, his advice seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Ultimately, the manager concluded that Garnacho's attitude was creating a negative atmosphere within the dressing room. He grew weary of the player's moodiness and temper tantrums when things didn't go his way.

Garnacho's social media activity also caused friction. While he was generally quiet and often engrossed in his phone, his posts occasionally landed him in trouble, adding to the perception of him as a disruptive influence.

The tension between the two reached a boiling point during a Europa League semi-final. When Garnacho missed a crucial chance, Amorim's reaction spoke volumes. In the final, he benched the winger until late in the game, despite his team's lackluster performance.

Amorim hinted at Garnacho's potential departure in post-match interviews, and a social media post from Garnacho's brother criticizing the manager proved to be the final straw. Garnacho was informed that he needed to find a new club, leading to his eventual move to Chelsea.

Now, the question is whether Manchester United's loss will be Chelsea's gain. The Blues invested a significant sum in Garnacho, and they'll be hoping that he can quickly adapt to his new surroundings and fulfill his potential.

Chelsea fans have already seen glimpses of what Garnacho can offer. He came off the bench in a recent game to assist a goal, but he also made a costly error that led to an opposition goal, highlighting the raw talent and occasional lapses in concentration that characterize his game.

His new teammates, including fellow Argentinians, have welcomed him, and the coaching staff is optimistic that he can thrive at Stamford Bridge. The manager has stated that he isn't dwelling on what went wrong for Garnacho at Manchester United, but rather focusing on how to unlock his potential in a new environment.

Chelsea's manager drew comparisons to another player who struggled at one club before finding success elsewhere. He expressed hope that Garnacho can follow a similar path, revitalizing his career and becoming an important asset for the team.

The stage is now set for Garnacho's return to Old Trafford. Whether he'll be greeted with cheers or jeers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: he'll be determined to prove his worth and show Manchester United what they're missing.