Man Utd made to wait on Garnacho update as injury is ‘bigger than expected’

Reports have claimed that Alejandro Garnacho’s injury is bigger than first expected and the Manchester United winger could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Argentine winger has been a breakthrough star under Erik ten Hag this season and the injury will come as disappointing news.

Garnacho sustained an injury

Following a challenge from Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, Garnacho was withdrawn in the second half.

The youngster was seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches and wearing a protective boot which caused some concern.

Ten Hag did claim after the game that the injury doesn’t look too bad, but a fresh update will cause concern for the United boss.

“He was a little bit limping after the bad tackle,” Ten Hag told reporters. “In the end they brought on another striker, a big and tall one [Paul Onuachu] and I don’t want to go for risk, we were already downsized to 10 [men].

“I didn’t want to go with players who were [just] 90 per cent. That’s why I called him off but I think it is not too bad.”

However, a report from Argentine outlet TyC Sports has claimed that the injury is ‘bigger than expected’ which will come as concerning news.

A timescale hasn’t been put on the injury, but it is now feared that Garnacho will miss Argentina’s two matches at the end of the month.

The winger has featured in 29 matches for Man United this season and he has scored four goals in that time.

Ten Hag will now be forced to shuffle around his squad in the absence of the 18-year-old.

Next up for Man United is a trip to Real Betis in the Europa League second leg. Ten Hag’s men hold a 4-1 advantage from the first leg.

“There are not so many players in world football who can take players on, who are capable of just going at players and out dribble them,” Ten Hag explained.

“But he has more skill than only that, for example, finishing.

“I see he also has a big engine. He is fast and has speed, but he can keep running for 90 minutes or 120 minutes.”

Man United are yet to clarify the extent of his recent injury, but he could be kept on the sidelines for some time if the recent reports are correct.