Erik ten Hag 'rejects Alejandro Garnacho's U20 World Cup request' as Man Utd boss risks angering the player

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has rejected winger Alejandro Garnacho's request to play at the U20 World Cup for Argentina this summer, according to a new report.

Argentina are hosting the competition, which takes place between May 20 and June 11.

And they have named Garnacho in the preliminary squad ahead of contesting Group A alongside Uzbekistan, Guatemala and New Zealand.

The 19-year-old is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered last month, which ruled him out of the senior team's friendly matches against Panama and Curacao.

But he is back in full training, and could make a return for this weekend's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

United have six Premier League matches remaining until the end of the 2022/23 season, before they contest the FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Garnacho 'refused Man Utd request'

According to Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul, Garnacho did 'everything he could' to convince Ten Hag and United to allow him to play in the U20 World Cup for Argentina - the only opportunity he will have to do so - but that the club rejected his request.

Doble Amarilla say the winger told Ten Hag: "I need to write my own story with the Argentina shirt. I ask you to please let me go."

However, travelling to Argentina to play in the tournament would have caused Garnacho to miss the final three league games of the season, as well as the FA Cup final against City on June 3.

It will have been a major dilemma for United and Ten Hag, who will have had one eye on the squad's lack of depth in forward areas in recent weeks as a result of Garnacho's injury absence.

If Anthony Martial's fitness issues this season prevent him from playing a part, United would only have Wout Weghorst, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho available to cover two positions - with the potential prospect of 120 minutes of football at Wembley.

Garnacho, barring any more injury issues, seemingly will be available for United's run-in, but is set to miss out on the opportunity of representing his country on a grand stage.