A former Manchester United player has discussed his choice to leave the club, indicating that a single conversation with manager Erik ten Hag influenced his decision.
Ten Hag took over as United’s manager in May 2022, succeeding interim coach Ralf Rangnick. Under his leadership, several notable players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, departed, the latter following a controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
James Garner, who left United during Ten Hag’s time as manager, revealed that his departure was prompted by one talk with the Dutch coach. Garner transferred to Everton in September 2022 for a reported fee of £15 million, including add-ons.
In an interview with BBC Sport in 2023, the midfielder stated, “Ten Hag is very approachable but also very strict. He doesn’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. He’s straightforward and holds people accountable if they do something wrong.”
“My conversation with him was clear. I directly asked if I would be part of the squad or if he had a role for me. I didn’t receive the answer I was hoping for, so I chose to leave.”
Garner added, “I had a great season before that, probably the best I could have had, and I didn’t want to stagnate by sitting on the bench. Nothing is guaranteed in football, but when the club starts signing several midfielders, it becomes clear where you stand. I wanted to secure first-team football as soon as I returned.”
During his time at United, Garner made only seven appearances and spent a significant amount of time on loan at clubs like Watford and Nottingham Forest, where he gained more playing time. Since joining Everton, the 23-year-old has played 63 matches, scoring two goals and providing three assists from his defensive midfield role.
