Former Manchester United midfielder admits culture shock after departing club last summer

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James Garner decided to leave Manchester United last summer when it emerged Everton were keen on the English midfielder.

James Garner deemed his chances of playing under Erik ten Hag to be minimal and decided that his best course of action was to leave Old Trafford and embark on pastures new.

The Englishman was seemingly never going to receive chances in the United first team despite being a fantastic midfielder with big potential, competition for places at Old Trafford was high.

However, you wonder if the midfielder regrets leaving Old Trafford now as it seems younger midfielders are being given their chances under the Dutchman.

Garner on the “culture shock”

Speaking to The Mirror, Garner has spoken about the culture shock he felt when he decided to leave his boyhood club for a new challenge at Goodison Park.

“Yeah a massive culture shock in a way,” he admits with a rueful smile. “Ever since I was six or seven when I’ve been playing football, always at a club and a team with United that’s been winning.

“From the youth team, me going into the first team, breaking through, winning, getting into finals, three semi-finals when I started in the squad. Even when I went on loan I was at teams that got promoted.”

Speaking to the BBC a fortnight ago, Garner admitted a blunt conversation with Erik ten Hag led to his departure.

He said: “It was easy for him. I simply asked him if I was going to be part of the group or if he saw me playing a role.

“I felt that the conversation had not gone as well as I wanted and I made the decision to leave.”

Was Garner right to leave Old Trafford

The English midfielder has started six games in the Premier League so far this season and the former United academy player certainly looks suited to the physical and mental demands of the Premier League.

Whether Garner was good enough for the United first team remains to be seen, but the midfielder could have certainly received ample opportunities in the midfield for Erik ten Hag if he stayed and had been a little more patient.

Garner has athleticism, good passing range and an eye for goal, the midfielder could have been perfect for the midfield role alongside Casemiro in the heart of the United midfield.