Vital United starter could miss pre-season and Community Shield after his national team make audacious request

After a season in which he made an unprecedented 41 starts for Manchester United, Alejandro Garnacho is set for an even busier summer.

Much to Erik ten Hag’s dismay, it looks as though the teenager will be getting little to no rest over the forthcoming break.

Garnacho was named in Lionel Scaloni’s provisional Copa America squad on May 20, which comes as a thoroughly deserved call-up after his scintillating showings at club level over the past nine months.

The tournament kicks off on June 20 and given Argentina’s status as holders of the trophy AND world champions, they’ll certainly be one of the major favourites to defend their crown.

It concludes on July 14 (15th in the United Kingdom’s timezone) this year, with United’s first pre-season fixture against Rosenborg also penned in for the 15th in Norway. Assuming the Argentines reach the final hurdle, you can expect to see Garnacho join up with the squad later in the month.

Read more: Jordan Henderson breaks silence after England omission by sending message to Kobbie Mainoo

Garnacho could feature at two tournaments this summer

As well as the Copa America, Javier Mascherano, manager of Argentina’s U23s, has indicated that he’d like to take United’s starlet to represent their nation at the Paris Olympics, with TNT Sports claiming the team have put in a request to the Red Devils to release Garnacho in time for the beginning of the tournament.

This would see the 19-year-old depart before July 24 and potentially be absent until after August 10, meaning he would not only miss the entirety of United’s pre-season matches and tour but would also be ruled out of the Community Shield tie against Manchester City on August 10.

Thankfully, the events wouldn’t interfere with the new Premier League campaign kicking off on August 17.