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Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has explained why Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has yet to feature for the national team in their ongoing Copa America campaign.
Garnacho was a crucial part of Erik ten Hag’s plans last season, with the forward undoubtedly one of the first names on the team sheet whenever the Dutchman named his starting XI.
The Carrington academy graduate made 50 appearances across all competitions and in that period, managed 10 goals and five assists. 36 of Garnacho’s games came in the Premier League alone.
He was one the few positives for United during a troublesome 2023/24 term, which he crowned by scoring the opening goal for the club during their FA Cup final clash against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at Wembley.
However, Garnacho’s importance at Old Trafford hasn’t translated to the international stage, where he has yet to establish himself.
In Argentina’s first two Copa America matches vs. Canada and Chile respectively, the 19-year-old has not tasted even a minute of action and has had to be content with a place on the bench.
Scaloni has so far demonstrated a clear preference for Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez, who have led the attack in both the Albiceleste’s fixtures.
Scaloni spoke to reporters and revealed why Garnacho’s playing time has been severely limited.
” [If] I need to put him in, someone else has to come out. It is very easy for you but it is not easy for me to make that decision.”
“We would love for him (Garnacho) to play because he is a boy who gives us a very good freshness, but when you make the game plan, he has the intention that maybe he can come in, and then the game changes.”
“He still hasn’t had the opportunity, but we hope to give it to him and that he can take advantage of it. If he does it well he makes it difficult for both the coach and his team-mate.”
Argentina’s next assignment is against Peru and considering the fact they’ve already secured entry into the knockout stages, Garnacho may finally get the opportunity to make his mark at Copa America.
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