In a candid revelation, a former Manchester United player has shed light on the pivotal moment that led to his decision to part ways with the club. It turns out that a single conversation with Erik ten Hag, United’s current manager, was all it took for him to determine that his future lay elsewhere.
Erik ten Hag, who assumed the managerial reins at Manchester United in May 2022, following the interim tenure of Ralf Rangnick, has already made significant waves at the club. One of his most notable actions has been the departure of several prominent players, including the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, whose exit was precipitated by a highly publicized and controversial interview with Piers Morgan. In this evolving landscape, other players have also found themselves reassessing their positions within the squad.
Among them is James Garner, a promising midfielder who made the difficult decision to leave Old Trafford shortly after Ten Hag’s arrival. Garner, who had been with Manchester United since his youth, chose to embark on a new chapter at Everton, sealing a move in September 2022 for a reported fee of £15 million, inclusive of add-ons. His decision, as he now reveals, was heavily influenced by his brief yet impactful discussion with the Dutch manager.
Reflecting on that fateful moment during an interview with BBC Sport in 2023, Garner painted a picture of Ten Hag as a manager who is both approachable and uncompromising. “Ten Hag is very approachable but also very strict,” Garner shared. “He doesn’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. He’s straightforward and holds people accountable if they do something wrong.”
Garner went on to describe the conversation that ultimately led to his departure. “My conversation with him was straightforward,” Garner recounted. “I asked him directly if I would be part of the squad or if he saw a role for me. I didn’t get the response I was hoping for, so I decided to leave.”
For Garner, the decision to move on wasn’t taken lightly. He had come off the back of what he described as his best season yet and was eager to continue his development rather than risk stagnating on the bench. “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 every week,” he explained. “Nothing is guaranteed in football, but when the club starts signing three or four midfielders, you start to understand where you stand. I wanted to find first-team football as soon as I returned.”
Garner’s time at Manchester United had been marked by limited opportunities. Despite being a highly regarded prospect, he made just seven appearances for the senior team and spent considerable time on loan at other clubs, including Watford and Nottingham Forest, where he enjoyed more regular playing time. However, his potential was never fully realized at United, and the influx of new midfield talent under Ten Hag made it clear that his chances of breaking into the first team were slim.
Since making the switch to Everton, Garner has found the regular first-team football he craved. Now 23 years old, he has made 63 appearances for the Toffees, scoring two goals and providing three assists from his position as a defensive midfielder. His performances at Goodison Park have demonstrated the qualities that Manchester United initially saw in him, and he continues to develop as a key player for Everton.
Garner’s departure from Manchester United serves as a reminder of the difficult decisions players must sometimes make in their careers, especially when faced with the uncertainty of a new managerial regime. While his time at Old Trafford didn’t pan out as he might have hoped, his move to Everton has given him the opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League, and he remains a player with
much to offer.