Alejandro Garnacho is enjoying a breakout season at Manchester United, becoming one of Erik ten Hag’s first-choice players on the left-hand side.
Garnacho’s emergence has allowed Ten Hag to use Marcus Rashford, the side’s talisman, in a central position, with Wout Weghorst dropping down into a deeper role.
The 18-year-old has already been involved in some season-defining moments, which include a stoppage-time winner at Fulham before the World Cup, assisting the winner in the Manchester derby win in January and scoring another decisive goal in the FA Cup against West Ham.
Garnacho’s promising season even earned him a call-up to the Argentina senior team for this month’s set of international fixtures but just one week before he was supposed to link up with his team-mates, he sustained an untimely ankle injury.
That immediately ended Garnacho’s hopes of making his senior debut for Argentina and now, manager Lionel Scaloni has addressed the situation, insisting they are hoping he will be able to make his senior bow in June instead.
“The two absences are a pity. Especially that of Papu, who deserved to be here. It is understandable that they do not let him come, but we will do everything possible so that he can be with us for a day or two,” Scaloni told TyC Sports, via Sport Witness.
“We trust that Garnacho can be in the next call-up, he’s a boy in whom we have high hopes.”
Garnacho is still eligible to represent both Spain and Argentina but as things stand, it looks like he has decided to play for Argentina.
SN’s verdict…
Garnacho endured a tricky start to life under Ten Hag, with the Dutchman using him sparingly during pre-season due to the teenager’s attitude. That quickly changed as the season began and it did not take long for him to make himself undroppable.
He deserved to make his debut for his national team and although he will see it as a major blow right now, he is still only 18 and has plenty of time to make a name for himself domestically.
