“Let me go” – Manchester United player wants early exit this season
Manchester United will face Manchester City in the FA Cup final in June Reuters/Carl Recine
Manchester United’s injury woes have sparked new waves of creativity in manager Erik ten Hag.
During the FA Cup semi-final win against Brighton and Hove Albion, the gaffer had to field Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw as centre-backs owing to the sudden crisis afflicting his defenders. Interestingly, fans praised the pairing, with some arguing that Shaw ought to start ahead of Harry Maguire even when the latter was fit.
Elsewhere on the pitch, United’s forward line has been shakey – strikers looking slim due to a lack of squad depth and attacking midfielders bouncing in and out of injury, with Bruno Fernandes the latest doubt added to the list.
Lack of squad depth impact Manchester United plans
In this regard, when it came to wingers, for much of the season Ten Hag was more than happy to rely on the services of Alejandro Garnacho, often to positive results. As such, the injury blow to the Argentinian starlet arrived on the cusp of fixture congestion, adding many woes. Now that the Red Devils are out of the Europa League and secured the final spot at Wembley for the FA Cup, only the laden Premier League fixtures remain.
Appears to be the perfect time for Garnacho to return and contribute to a top-four finish, doesn’t it?
However, according to Doble Amarilla, the 18-year-old has other plans.
Argentina are all set to feature in the U-20s World Cup on May 20 and Garnacho has a keen interest in joining his compatriots early and make the push for glory, aping Lionel Messi’s Qatar triumph with the senior team late last year.
Such is the desire from the Spanish-born winger that he reportedly put in a special request to Erik ten Hag, requesting leave, stating, “I need to write my story with the Argentina shirt. I ask you to please let me go.”
It will be interesting to see what choice the Manchester United boss makes. Precedent indicates that Garnacho’s wish may not be granted, especially given the new challenge from Newcastle United on the third-place finish.