Erik ten Hag has admitted he doesn’t know if a Alejandro Garnacho World Cup call-up is the best thing for the player right now.
Manchester United Football Club progressed into the EFL Cup fourth round yesterday, courtesy of a 4-2 victory over Aston Villa.
Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench and grabbed two assists to help United on their way, with the Argentine looking like the best player on the pitch following his introduction.
The young man, who is highly thought of by both club and country, is knocking hard on the door for an Argentina call-up on the eve of the World Cup.
Don’t forget that Garnacho has already been called up to Argentina duty once before, having not made his club debut at that point…
Now, Erik ten Hag was asked about Garnacho potentially getting a call-up. He sounded unsure about whether that would be best for the development of the starlet at this stage of his career…
Check out what Ten Hag had to say on an Alejandro Garnacho World Cup selection here:
“It is difficult to say,” admitted Ten Hag to the media, per ManUtd.com.
“I don’t know of all the Argentina players, I don’t know. Of course, I know a lot of players from Argentina. But what is it for [the] 26 players? What is available for them? And another thing is that it is a big step to go to the World Cup, where the best players in the world come together.”
“It is a big step. And I don’t know if it is the right step for him. I think he has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop, and go from game to game.”
With Garnacho’s attitude coming into question in the past, I understand where the gaffer is coming from.
Ten Hag wants to keep Garnacho’s head above water. Keep him comfortable and working hard in Manchester. A change in situation, at this young age, could deter Garnacho from that path. I’m not comparing the situations, though we have seen it with Mason Greenwood in the past when he got into trouble while away on international duty.
Garnacho, if called up, could allow the rise to stardom get to his head and begin to build his ego to those dizzy heights. Perhaps him being rejected for the World Cup would knock him down a peg or two – ensuring he only works harder on the training pitches as a result.
It’s a tricky situation. No doubt Garnacho is begging to go. No doubt he wants to receive that call. United, on the other hand, are absolutely swaying the other way. They’d rather he stays behind in Manchester, particularly while he’s young.
Do you think Alejandro Garnacho is ready for a World Cup selection? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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