Garnacho could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a heavy tackle from Kyle Walker-Peters during Utd’s draw with Southampton.
The 18-year-old youngster has made an impression after breaking into the first-team picture under Ten Hag. This has earned him his first senior international call-up for Argentina last week as he’s a reliable player at United.
In the draw against Southampton, Garnacho came in as substitute in hopes to earn his side a goal. However, the teenager endured a heavy tackle from Kyle Walker-Peters . It appears as though Garnacho, who was seen leaving Old Trafford in crutches, could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
According to reports, Garnacho was sent for tests on the issue. It therefore appears as though the youngster’s injury is worse that first feared. The report doesn’t outline any sort of timeframe. However, it notes that Garnacho is now expected to miss out on Argentina’s upcoming international fixtures.
Garnacho was in contention to win his first senior cap after the winger made the decision to represent Argentina over Spain. He had harboured hopes of making Lionel Scaloni’s World Cup squad before the tournament kicked off in Qatar in November but failed to make the grade.
Despite his failure to make the world champion’s squad, Garnacho has enjoyed a breakthrough season at club level. He has clocked up 29 appearances for United in all competitions, scoring four goals and registering five assists and established himself as a firm fans favourite.
The winger, who replaced Jadon Sancho late in the second-half of Sunday’s match, had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes before he was scythed down by Walker-Peters. Given that United were already down to 10 men after Casemiro’s dismissal, Ten Hag took no chances and withdrew the youngster in added-on time after he was seen struggling to shake off the after effects of said tackle.
But the Dutchman was quick to play down fears over Garnacho’s fitness in the immediate aftermath of Sunday’s match when he insisted that he didn’t think the winger’s issue was “too bad”.
Ten Hag said: “He was a little bit limping after the bad tackle. In the end they brought on another striker, a big and tall one [Paul Onuachu] and I don’t want to go for risk, we were already downsized to 10 [men].
“I didn’t want to go with players who were [just] 90 per cent. That’s why I called him off but I think it is not too bad.”
If Garnacho’s injury does lead to an extended spell on the sidelines, then the youngster’s season could be brought to a premature end. There are just under two months of the current campaign remaining with United still alive in both the FA Cup and the Europa League. The Red Devils ended a six-year trophy drought with victory in the Carabao Cup final last month.