Alejandro Garnacho to miss international tournament after Manchester United make decision

Alejandro Garnacho has been named in Argentina’s preliminary 29-man squad for this summer’s Copa America, taking place in the United States.

The winger, who enjoyed another stellar season at the club, is one of two Reds who will be hoping to retain Argentina’s crown, with Lisandro Martinez also named in the squad.

Garnacho is also eligible to feature for Argentina in this year’s summer Olympics but his involvement in that tournament could be decided by his club, with the event taking place later in the summer.

Should Garnacho feature for his nation in the Olympics, he would miss the entirety of pre-season and return to Old Trafford just days before their Premier League curtain-raiser.

Now, it is being reported that United have made a decision on the matter, with the Old Trafford hierarchy deciding not to allow Garnacho to play and instead be part of United’s 2024/25 preparations.

That’s according to Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul, who says that United have blocked Garnacho from taking part.

Garnacho ended the 2023/24 season as one of the first names on the teamsheet and Erik ten Hag, if he remains in charge beyond the summer, will want to have his first-team regulars fit and firing for the first game of the season.

Ten Hag, who is the subject of a review of his second season in charge of the club at the time of writing, knows all too well what losing your critical players can do to a season.

Strengthening that position is also not a priority in this summer’s transfer market, meaning Garnacho is a player United will be counting on as other areas are given more attention.