“After talking with him, I found put that he was never a good coach, so I couldn’t afford to waste any more time under his terrible management. I have to leave the club, and now I am one of the best Midfielder in Premier League”-Former Man United player reveals he had to leave the club after just one conversation with Erik ten Hag when he took over.

A former Manchester United player has recently shed light on the circumstances that led to his departure from the club, stating that a single conversation with manager Erik ten Hag was all it took for him to make his decision.

Erik ten Hag took the helm at Manchester United in May 2022, succeeding interim manager Ralf Rangnick. Since his arrival, several prominent players have left the club, with the most notable being Cristiano Ronaldo, who exited after a controversial interview with Piers Morgan. Another player who left under Ten Hag’s reign was James Garner, who has now spoken about the key moment that prompted his move.

Garner, a talented midfielder, transferred to Everton in September 2022 for a fee reported to be around £15 million, including potential add-ons. In a 2023 interview with BBC Sport, Garner revealed that his conversation with Ten Hag played a pivotal role in his decision to leave Manchester United.

“Ten Hag is approachable and easy to talk to,” Garner explained, “but he’s also very strict. He doesn’t allow anyone to step out of line and is very clear about his expectations. If you make a mistake or don’t follow the rules, he will hold you accountable.”

Garner shared that he had a candid discussion with Ten Hag, where he asked if he would be part of the manager’s plans moving forward. “I wanted to know if there was a place for me in the squad, if I’d get the chance to play regularly,” Garner said. “The answer I got wasn’t what I was hoping for, so I made the decision to leave.”

Reflecting on his choice, Garner elaborated that after having a strong season the year before, he didn’t want to risk his development by being sidelined. “I had probably the best season I could have had before that, and the last thing I wanted was to sit on the bench and watch from the sidelines. Football is unpredictable, and nothing is ever guaranteed, but when the club starts bringing in multiple new midfielders, it becomes clear where you stand in the pecking order. I needed to find regular first-team football again.”

Garner’s time at Manchester United was limited, as he made only seven appearances for the senior team. Much of his career at United was spent on loan at other clubs, including Watford and Nottingham Forest, where he was able to get more minutes on the field and continue developing his skills. His move to Everton gave him the opportunity to feature more prominently, and since his arrival, the 23-year-old midfielder has made 63 appearances, scoring twice and contributing three assists while operating in a defensive midfield role.

In summary, Garner’s decision to leave Manchester United came down to the harsh realities of football at the highest level. Despite showing great promise, he understood that his future opportunities at the club would be limited, especially with new signings coming in. The desire to play regularly and continue his growth led him to seek out a fresh start at Everton, where he has since become an important part of the squad.