Argentina U23s coach and former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has reportedly asked if Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho can take part in this summer’s Olympic Games.
The Olympics will be held in Paris between July 26 – August 11.
Argentina are one of 16 teams competing at the games and, according to TNT Sports Argentina, want Garnacho to join them on their quest for success.
It is understood that Mascherano is still waiting to find out if the 19-year-old will be available for selection, though I don’t like the sound of our best forward player competing at the Olympics if I’m being honest.
Without wanting to sound too dismissive, United and Argentina have bigger fish to fry than the Olympic Games in Paris.
The South Americans will take on Morocco and Ukraine between July 24 and July 30.
Meanwhile, Man City have cleared Julian Alvarez to play for Argentina in the summer games. The striker has been a regular for the senior national team and started the 2022 World Cup final victory over France.
Argentina will also take part in the Copa America next month, which is a competition that will excite the likes of Garnacho because he has yet to play at a major international tournament.
Olympics will clash with pre-season
Manchester United’s pre-season campaign begins against Rosenborg on July 15.
Garnacho needs to be focused on preparing in the best way for United next season. That might get him closer to the Argentina first-team line-up. I’m not sure playing games against crap teams at the Olympics will help on that front.
The Premier League season begins on 17 August, although United face City in the Community Shield at Wembley on 10 August.
Argentina open their Copa America campaign against Canada in Atlanta on 20 June. The final will be played in Miami on 14 July.
United need to tell Mascherano to do one.
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