Alejandro Garnacho received last minute call over international allegiance switch

Alejandro Garnacho's talent has attracted the glances of two international teams, and one of them put in a last minute phone call to try and persuade him.

This has certainly been a breakout season for Garnacho, who has impressed on his 29 appearances for Erik ten Hag's team across all competitions.

His last minute winner against Fulham back in November and his late goal against West Ham in the FA Cup spring to mind as moments of brilliance.

That goal against the Cottagers was on the verge of the World Cup, and fans felt that it might even lead the 18-year-old to get a call up.

The youngster even liked a post about why someone felt he hadn't been called up for the tournament in Qatar, which was linked to a potential switch of national team.

Garnacho is eligible for Argentina through his mother but was actually born in Spain, playing for their under 18s on three occasions.

He then switched to the South Americans for the under 20s and was expected to make his senior debut in the international break later this month, until injury struck.

Now Bernardo Romeo, coordinator of the Argentine national youth teams, has said that Spain tried to get the United star to switch back.

"Garnacho is totally convinced of playing for the Argentine National Team," Romeo told DSports Radio, "You enter his house and you see all the photos with Messi!

"The manager of the Spanish teams had called him, but he was very clear, he answered him out of respect, but he has decided to play for Argentina."

Garnacho with the Argentina youth teams. Image: Alamy

The United forward was injured during the 0-0 draw with Southampton last weekend, after a crunching, but fair, challenge from Kyle Walker-Peters.

He was spotted on crutches after the match, leading to some abhorrent abuse on social media from fans, who racially abused the Saints' full back.

Garnacho backed his opponent saying, "More than football. Thank you very much for the message brother, this is part of football."

Fans of Ten Hag's team will be hoping that the youngster returns to action as soon as possible, Argentina fans will be hoping he can make his competitive debut for them soon enough and end any talk of Spain.

Topics: Football, Manchester United, Argentina, Spain, Premier League

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28