Erik ten Hag has blocked Alejandro Garnacho from playing for Argentina in the Under-20 World Cup next month.
Manchester United’s rising star resumes training at Carrington on Friday after seven weeks out of action with the ankle ligament injury he sustained against Southampton in March.
Garnacho is said to be desperate to play in the youth tournament – which starts on May 20 and is being hosted by Argentina – having already been forced to pull out of the senior internationals against Panama and Curacao due to the injury.
It’s understood that the teenage winger has made a personal plea to Ten Hag to let him go, even though it could mean him potentially missing the Premier League games against Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham as well as the FA Cup Final against Manchester City on June 3.
Argentina youth-team coach Javier Mascherano has also met with United officials in an attempt to secure Garnacho’s release.
Alejandro Garnacho has seen his request to play at the Under-20 World Cup turned down
Garnacho had reportedly asked Man United boss Erik ten Hag to be cleared to play at the event
Garnacho’s absence will be a blow to Argentina Under-20s head coach Javier Mascherano
However, Ten Hag was adamant over the situation when he was asked about it after United’s draw with Tottenham on Thursday night. ‘No, we don’t release him,’ replied the United manager.
Ten Hag is looking forward to having Garnacho back in the squad for the run-in after the youngster’s breakthrough season was disrupted by the injury.
Until he was hurt in the challenge by Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, Garnacho had scored five goals and made six assists in his 31 appearances.
‘He will return tomorrow (Friday) in team training, partially,’ added Ten Hag. ‘Then we will have to see when he can return totally in the training, and back into games.’
Garnacho will be disappointed by Ten Hag’s decision but United still expect him to sign a new long-term contract at Old Trafford even though negotiations have dragged on for nearly a year.
Click Here: SL Benfica soccer tracksuit