‘I don’t know if that’s the right step’ – Erik ten Hag unsure if Man Utd sensation Alejandro Garnacho should go to World Cup with Argentina

Garnacho is in the provisional Argentina squad (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is unsure if Alejandro Garnacho would benefit from going to the World Cup with Argentina.

The 18-year-old sensation has forced his way into the United team in recent weeks, scoring his first goal for the club against Real Sociedad and coming off the bench to provide two assists in the Carabao Cup win over Aston Villa on Thursday night.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has included Garnacho in his extended squad, which is set to be reduced to a final 26 on Sunday.

While the youngster is not expected to make the squad for Qatar, his recent form could inspire a late surge although ten Hag has suggested this winter’s competition would come too soon for him.

‘It’s difficult to say,’ Ten Hag said of Garnacho’s World Cup prospects in the post-match press conference. ‘I don’t know all the available Argentina players, of course I know a lot of players from Argentina, what is available for them from 26.

‘And the other thing is it’s a big step to go to a World Cup, where the best players in the world come together, it’s a big step.

‘I don’t know if that’s the right step for him. I think he has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop, I think go from game to game.’

Ten Hag impressed with Garnacho’s recent impact (Picture: Getty)

Ten Hag did not call on Garnacho earlier in the season after concerns over his attitude stemming from United’s pre-season tour.

Having overcome those issues, the teenager is showing signs he can offer ten Hag another compelling option in attack with ten Hag challenging him to maintain his desire to improve.

‘Can he have a regular role? Depends on how his approach, how his attitude, when he keeps working, keeps this attitude, then it’s possible,’ ten Hag said.

‘That he keeps the attitude he wants to improve every day and he’s doing the right things in his lifestyle, then it’s possible.

‘As you can see, he has capabilities that contribute to attacking football, he has something he can break open a really compact defending line. I think all teams who want to attack want to play in an opponent’s half, they need players like them, he can outplay them.

‘And also, in the final decisions, he can do the right things. Once again, it depends on how his attitude, can he also do the defending stuff, the discipline, when he can do that, it’s possible.’

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The 18-year-old provided two assists against Aston Villa.