Former Manchester United and Chelsea star Juan Sebastian Veron has delivered a crucial piece of career advice to United's exciting young talent, Alejandro Garnacho, urging him to avoid repeating his own costly mistake.
In an exclusive interview, the Argentine legend reflected on his own high-profile and ultimately disappointing £15 million move from Lazio to rivals Chelsea in 2003, a transfer he admits was a major error in judgement.
Veron's Chelsea Regret: A Cautionary Tale
Veron's time at Stamford Bridge, under the new ownership of Roman Abramovich, was plagued by injuries and a struggle to adapt, making just 14 appearances. He candidly admits the switch was a misstep, stating his career path would have been vastly different had he remained at Old Trafford.
"The truth is, leaving United for Chelsea was not good for me," Veron confessed. "It was a mistake. I had a conversation with (Sir Alex) Ferguson and I should have listened to him."
A Warning for Garnacho: Stay and Develop at United
Using his own experience as a cautionary tale, Veron has directly advised his compatriot, Garnacho, to focus on his development at the club that nurtured him. He emphasises the unique environment and trust young players receive at Manchester United under Erik ten Hag.
"The advice I give to Garnacho is that he is at a club that trusts him, that bet on him, and where he can continue to grow," Veron said. "He has the confidence of the coach and his teammates. He doesn't need to change teams. He has to be calm."
Garnacho's Meteoric Rise at Old Trafford
The 19-year-old winger has become a vital part of Ten Hag's squad this season, featuring prominently and scoring crucial goals. Veron believes this consistent playing time at one of the world's biggest clubs is the perfect foundation for a long and successful career, warning that a premature move could disrupt his impressive progress.
Veron's message is clear: stability and patience are key for a young player's success, a lesson he learned the hard way.
