Alejandro Garnacho has been unequivocal about his decision to leave Manchester United for Chelsea, describing the summer switch as a “step forwards.” When asked whether he regretted the way his Old Trafford exit unfolded, the winger replied in one word: “No.” He repeated the same one-word response to confirm he was not sad about leaving.

Garnacho’s final months under United manager Ruben Amorim were turbulent. He was dropped from the squad for a Manchester derby in December 2024 alongside Marcus Rashford. After working his way back into the side he finished his spell in frustration, publicly clashing with the boss over his omission from the Europa League final starting lineup. Months later a £40 million ($53.3 million) transfer to Chelsea completed the move.

The 21-year-old has had a mixed start at Stamford Bridge. In the Premier League he has made nine appearances, starting six of those games, and has contributed one goal and two assists. Those figures have not been eye-catching, but Garnacho has been clear that a change of environment mattered.

He singled out Blues manager Enzo Maresca for the role he believes the coach has played in his early progress. “I spoke with [Maresca before joining], he explained everything to me,” Garnacho said. “Now working together I think we are doing well, we are going to improve with time, it’s just three months. He trusts me.

“So that’s the most important [thing]—we have confidence and we are going to improve. The most important thing is confidence. He speaks with me every week and I think we’re going to be better—me as a player and the team all together, with time. We started the season three months ago so there’s confidence between manager and player.

“Sometimes in life you have to change things to maybe take a step forward or to improve as a player. It was the right moment, also the right club, so it was an easy decision.”

For now Garnacho’s stance is clear: the transfer was intended to move his career forward, and he expects both his individual form and the team’s fortunes to improve as trust grows between player and coach.

“I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager, and I don’t rate you as a person.” That Roy Keane verdict, recalled from another high-profile dressing-room rupture, underlines how public rows between player and coach often force irreversible choices.

The confrontation between Mohamed Salah and Arne Slot has become similarly corrosive. Salah spoke plainly: “It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.” He later added, “I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship.” Those words make reconciliation difficult.

Salah has a glittering Liverpool record: 250 goals, 113 assists, eight trophies, including two Premier Leagues and the Champions League, in 420 games. Yet form and figures matter to the owners. In his last 30 games, Salah has scored seven goals; in the previous 30 he scored 25. He is 33. Minutes this season also show he has not been ignored: only Cody Gakpo has more Premier League minutes than Salah (1,138 to 1,119).

Liverpool have been unbeaten in the three matches in which Salah was benched: a win over West Ham and draws with Sunderland and Leeds United. The club scored six times without him. Slot’s position is not unassailable either; he has managed four wins in 15 games. Still, breaking the manager would invite instability.

The pragmatic option is a clean split. With Salah heading to the Africa Cup of Nations next week, Liverpool could stage a farewell against Brighton & Hove Albion and then consider moving him in the January window. His contract has about 20 months remaining and his wages have been reported at around $533,000 (£400,000) a week. A sale would free those funds and allow recruitment priorities to be advanced, including the possibility of triggering the £65 million ($86 millon) release clause for Antoine Semenyo.

The club’s tradition of collective sacrifice remains relevant. As Bill Shankly put it, “For a player to be good enough to play for Liverpool, he must be prepared to run through a brick wall for me then come out fighting on the other side,” Shankly said. That principle now guides a hard decision.

Major League Soccer clubs have registered what one report calls “strong interest” in Mohamed Salah following uncertainty over his future at Liverpool. The forward, 33, remains under contract with Liverpool until 2027, but recent reporting places Saudi duo Al Hilal and Al Ittihad as early frontrunners in any move away from England.

If Salah seeks an exit from Liverpool, several MLS sides are said to be potential suitors. Given his status as a global superstar and one of the top earners in the game, only a small number of MLS clubs could realistically contemplate his signing.

Inter Miami have drawn immediate attention because they are the reigning MLS Cup winners after triumphing over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The club already has Lionel Messi as its headline Designated Player and is allocating one of the remaining DP slots to Rodrigo De Paul. The report states Miami are not expected to make a play for Salah.

Chicago Fire are identified as a plausible bidder. The Fire attempted to sign Salah in April, before he signed his current Liverpool contract, and are likely to consider another approach. Chicago’s recruitment of high-profile names in the past is noted; Bastian Schweinsteiger previously had a spell at the club, and offers have also been made to other global stars who chose different paths, with Kevin De Bruyne and Neymar among names reportedly offered deals.

An alternative option highlighted is 2025 expansion side San Diego FC, owned by British-Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour. Mansour has vowed to do “whatever it takes” to support the club. San Diego finished first in the Western Conference in 2025, ahead of eventual MLS Cup runner-up Vancouver, and the ownership may see Salah as a vehicle to elevate the club’s profile further.

All developments remain speculative and tied to Salah’s contract situation at Liverpool through 2027.