The Spaniard was tagged "surplus to requirements" under Mark Hughes and was expected to leave during the January transfer window.
But the arrival of Roberto Mancini has brought a clean slate for Garrido and winger Martin Petrov - and both have set about grasping it with a goal apiece in the Italian's first two games in charge.
Now Garrido has impressed the new manager enough to be considered for the problem left- back spot as the Blues begin their FA Cup campaign with the third round tie at the Riverside Stadium.
Yesterday's news that Stevie Ireland is ruled out for a fortnight with a hamstring problem makes his return even more likely as it rules out Gareth Barry at left-back.
Garrido played a couple of minutes as a late sub as Mancini kicked off his reign with a 2-0 win over Stoke on Saturday and then curled home a stunning free-kick as the Blues chalked up their first away win for four months on Monday.
Those two cameo appearances were his first for City in nine months - and now he could make his first start since appearing in the 3-1 home defeat by Fulham in April.
Uncertain
Mancini is wrestling with a defensive injury crisis which has deprived him of Joleon Lescott, Nedum Onuoha and Wayne Bridge, while Kolo Toure has now left to link up with Ivory Coast ahead of next month's African Cup of Nations.
Sylvinho has looked vulnerable and Pablo Zabaleta uncertain when he plugged the gap at Wolves - and that could open the door for Garrido.
Mancini made it plain that everyone began from a level playing field after taking over and Petrov and Garrido have both benefited from that fresh approach - and from the player shortage due to injuries and international commitments.
"Garrido is a good player, and he was ready," said Mancini, talking of his decision to play him a sub at Wolves.
"I spoke to him before that match to tell him to stay ready to play.
"When he got on the pitch he scored a good goal, a goal which was most important."
Garrido is expected to learn this week, along with other fringe players, whether they have a long-term future under Mancini, the manager saying: "In the next day or two I will speak with him and the other players."
But Garrido, still only 24, is already refreshed by the change of regime and looking forward to the trip to Middlesbrough.
"Everyone is excited about the FA Cup," he said. "We are Man City and have to focus on every competition, so we are going to Middlesbrough to win.
"We have big players and need to do our best to go as far as possible."
Mancini plans
Mancini also has one eye on a congested January programme which brings a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final tie with United and a fistful of important league games as well as possibly two FA Cup ties.
And that could also secure Garrido's future until at least the end of the season.
The Spaniard admits he was initially shocked by the intensity of the English season at a time when most of Europe is taking a mid-winter break, but he says he prefers it that way.
"There are many games in January, which is different to Spain. Everywhere else stops for winter, but not here!" he said with a grin.
"It's great for footballers because there are many games and it's important for everyone to be ready. Nobody wants people injured but at the moment there are many injured players and that has opened the door for other players who don't get so many chances to play."
Garrido also believes that Mancini's emphasis on organisation, especially from set- pieces, is already starting to pay dividends.
"Every Italian manager tries to organise the team to be solid in attack and defence and this team has started to learn that," he said.
The news on Ireland is another blow as he will miss next week's first leg against United, although City hope to have him fit for the return at Old Trafford on January 19.
Shaun Wright-Phillips could return on Saturday after suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury but the Blues will again be without a big man up front with Emmanuel Adebayor heading for the African Cup of Nations with Togo and Roque Santa Cruz (calf) still missing.
Middlesbrough also have their problems. Manager Gordon Strachan was today trying to get Birmingham striker Marcus Bent back on loan as he will be without Jeremie Aliadiere through injury and the suspended Leroy Lita.
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Has Fergie not chipped in with a whinge about Bolton sacking megson? Or is that because he aint scared witless of Bolton?
The manager organizes the team to be solid at the back : "this team has started to learn that". Started? What did they do before?
Given, Zab, Richards, Kompany, Garrido, Weiss, De Jong, Barry, Petrov, Robinho and Tevez. Bellers needs to be fresh for wednesday so I'd save him for that.
How times have changed...seems like only yesterday when we left the Riverside after seeing the team capitulate and let in 8 goals after SGE told the team to go out and enjoy themselves.
Can't see a repeat as Boro are a shadow of their former selves, so much so that their 40,000 gates have slumped with 20,000 armchair supporters preferring to stay at home. Not very loyal are the smoggie supporters!
I expect Adam Johnson to be their danger man but we should have enough to get through easily despite having so many injured players.
3-0 to Mancini's esercito blu
O'Fortuna I want a Richard Mille like Mubaraks, Mubarak & Mansour/The worlds most Impeccable Football Club Chairman and Owner.
31/12/2009 at 09:22
It's driving me crazy too. I'm searching everywhere on the internet. Using all the best search engines and even some engines not known publicly. I just simply can't find the article where Ferguson slates City for the sacking of Bolton manager Megson. IT must be out there somewhere, he's bound to have chipped in with his opinions. Please Meun start a search party for that lost article. Of course, City are bound to be the reason why Megson way sacked.
Good time to give Weiss a run out and let SWP fully recover from his ankle injury.
The injury has been bothering him for a while and needs a bit of proper respite.
Would really like to see Weiss given a start in the Cup game. Partic as SWP and Ireland are out.
"Garrido played a couple of minutes as a late sub as Mancini kicked off his reign with a 2-0 win over Stoke on Saturday and then curled home a stunning free-kick"
He did all that in a couple of minutes! Poor sports reporting from Mr Brennan.
I agree with that team Fac51. Save Bellamy for Wednesday. Weiss on the right, Petrov on the left. If there is any doubt at all about SWP, save him for Wednesday. It would be good to have him and Bellamy available for the rags. It would also be good to have RSC back for that game. How many injuries can this guy have?
Its going to be an interesting few weeks for City. I think the injuries and absences are making it very tricky for Mancini with two cup competitions and the league. He will have to rotate but is being challenged by the staff available. I am not 100% convinced by garrido when he has someone running at him. Great on the ball and going forward, but a pacey winger will cause him problems.
The transfer window opens Friday and i expect to see a left back, central defender and creative midfielder all arrive. As we have seen before though, it is an awful window tio recruit quality. I think mancini will look at players like Ivan cordoba who may be surplus to requirements at Inter, a player he knows and trusts, but i dont expect to see any significant additions.
City are in a difficult position with transfers. We have a squad that is capable of 5th or 6th. We need players of a quality to take us to 4th and above. Champions League players. The best players in the world. Yet until we are in the Champions League it will be difficult to get these players in these positions. catch 22.
It was also interseting to see a lot of Italian posts on the City Facebook page last night. All were adoring of Mancini. A huge number stating that his Inter side were far better than Mourinho's. A compliment indeed.
For Boro:
Given
Zabaleta Richards Kompany Sylvinho
SWP / Weiss De Jong Barry Garrido Petrov
Tevez.
GC Northstand: Even more amazing is why you feel the need to keep coming on the City forum reading our news ! As for smiling at the end of a season, well, I wonder how many of your leeching glory-hunters would still be around to smile if you had gone 33 years without a trophy ! Not many, me old cock sparrer, or maybe that should be in Del`s vernacular " you plonker!"
GC Northstand,
31/12/2009 at 10:37
Oh and sorry mate! Must admit to having had a bit of smirk after Barca stuffed you last year!! Worlds best hahahaha joke!
H
GC Northstand, (Rag)
While you were posting that, your debt increased by another £10,000.
Now go and get your 100 year MANCHESTER free party gear ready. The party starts at 12pm tonight.
I would play a few kids in this game. Its not really that important at the moment with the semi final next week. We cant afford anymore injuries.
Given, Vidal, Micah, Boyota, Garrido, Weiss, De Jong, Sylvinho,Petrov, Robinho and Tevez.
given
garido
kompany
richards
zabaleta
petrov
de jong
barry
weiss
benjani
robinho
i think we need to rest tevez and bellamy, dont rush swp back.
benjani is not good i know but he will work hard and can hold the ball up at least, robinho will probably be useless away in boro but give him a chance.
there is more than enough quality there to beat these.
we should recall shaleum too he would walk in our side at left back or right back.
ctid
GC Northstand - You talk about us being bitters yet you're the one coming over to the City side to read the goings on.
Bitter rag, or obsessed rag?
Fine balancing act required making sure we get past boring boro and have a strong team available for the semi on Wednesday. If like me you feel that the club got its pricing badly wrong at £40 a ticket, please email your complaints to Tickets@mcfc.co.uk
GC Northstand - irony's not your strong point is it mate?! Complaining about City fans being obsessed about you swamp donkeys. Erm, it's you that's on the City page you balloon!
Given, Zab, Micah, Kompany, Garrido, Weiss/SWP, De Jong, ,Petrov, Robinho and Tevez.
Interesting to see who of the 'fringe' players Roberto retains.The LB position has yet to be really nailed.Whilst WB has been more consistent this season his defensive abilities are IMO not strong enough.Javi also has defensive frailties but over the last season you wonder if there has been any attempt to coach and develop him.What we do know is that he is capable if taking deadly freekicks and is a decent passer (mainly left foot!) and the balance of theteam is better maintained by having a left footed LB.New manager new aspirations!
Fine balancing act required making sure we get past boring boro and have a strong team available for the semi on Wednesday. If like me you feel that the club got its pricing badly wrong at £40 a ticket, please email your complaints to Tickets@mcfc.co.uk
Never Boo a Blue (formerly The Grimreaper), Sale
31/12/2009 at 11:26
Not sure if it's true but I heard that both clubs have to agree on ticket prices for cup games (as money shared). Obviously United need as much as they can get to clear the debt so wouldn't agree to City selling any cheaper than £40. Although that could be wrong! Anyway the club have been great with ticket prices for other rounds and for UEFA quarter final last year, surely they have the right to charge a realistic price for once?
Football ethics! That almost made me spit out my cuppa.
Rags not only living in glass houses with catapults at the ready, but they probably don't even realise it.
This will be my team to Play Boro
GK Given
RB Zabeleta CB Richards CB Kompany LB Garrdo
RM SWP CM Barry CM De Jong LM Weiss
CF Tevez CF Bellamy
Never Boo a Blue (formerly The Grimreaper), Sale
It`s a SEMI FINAL for gods sake , we can`t expect subsidised prices just because we have rich owners ! Look at Chelskis prices , we are VERY lucky to have had cheap cup prices for so long , you can`t surely expect to get in for a tenner for a semi ? It also takes both teams to agree to pricing structure for cup games and I doubt the rags would agree to cheap prices !
Stop moaning about the price , the Club has looked after us very well and if we WANT to become a big club then sorry but BIG games will come with BIG ticket prices ! I suppose you`ll want Champions League games pegged at a fiver ?
I'm glad Javier is being given another chance after being written off by Hughes. In truth, Bridge hasn't really done enough to justify the £10m outlay and Sylvinho is a bit too old to take on an opposing player with pace as was documented against Spurs.
Garrido dosen't go charging forward leaving the defence exposed and has worked well with Robinho on the left in the past. He is composed with good technical ability and a good atitude.
I can see Mancini bringing in a central defender in January. Italian central defenders has better tactical & positioning awareness and many top italian manager see this position as a key ingredient.