Everton midfielder James Garner says he is “more than happy that I left” Manchester United to join Everton.
Garner’s bright start to the season with Everton has seen him recalled to the England squad for the first time since his debut call-up in March. England head coach Thomas Tuchel had said in May that he was close to making his 26-man squad for the World Cup.
Nine years in United’s academy
Garner spent nine years in United’s academy from 2009 until 2018, when he briefly broke into the first team at Old Trafford. But following loans away from United at Watford and Nottingham Forest, he moved to Everton in 2022 for a deal worth £15million and has not looked back since.
Capped at every age group for England, the 25-year-old made his first two appearances for the senior team in March and is back in the squad ahead of Nations League games against Spain, Czechia (both home and away) and Croatia.
“The perfect thing for me to do”
“I think it was the perfect thing for me to do,” Garner said of his move from United to Everton. “I've never been shy of going into a more uncomfortable place. I went on loan three times, I went to Watford and then twice to Nottingham Forest, so I moved early and moved down to London and to Nottingham, so I wasn't worried about moving at all, changing scenery or anything that.
“For me, it was just about playing games and Everton was the perfect choice at that point. I didn’t just want to fizzle into the background and just sit on the bench and stuff like that, so I wanted to go into a team where I felt like I had a chance to fight for my position and that's what I have done in the past three or four years.”
No regrets over leaving
Pressed on whether he has any regrets about leaving United when he did, Garner replied: “No, not really. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason. When I left they signed three or four midfielders, world-class ones.
“Had I stayed, I wouldn’t have been where I am today, so I am more than happy that I left.”
