By Argentina has decided not to include Manchester United’s promising winger Alejandro Garnacho in their squad for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, significantly boosting the Premier League club’s pre-season preparations. This decision comes after United expressed concerns about potential injuries to key players ahead of the new season.
Garnacho, 20, currently represents Argentina in the Copa America, showcasing his skills to spectators in the United States. The young talent’s involvement in the tournament has already impacted his pre-season schedule with United, as he is expected to miss a large portion of the club’s pre-season tour for recovery.
However, Argentina manager Javier Mascherano’s decision to exclude Garnacho from the Olympic squad ensures the player will return to Manchester United before the start of the 2024/25 campaign. This move allows United to integrate Garnacho into their pre-season plans more effectively, potentially including him in the Community Shield clash.
Garnacho’s importance to United was evident last season, when he demonstrated remarkable endurance and skill. He featured in 50 out of 52 matches for the Red Devils, starting 39 consecutive games and scoring ten goals. Along with defender Diogo Dalot, Garnacho managed to avoid injury throughout the entire term, further highlighting his value to the team.
In contrast, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez has been granted permission to represent Argentina at the Olympics. This decision could impact both Manchester clubs, as Alvarez is likely to miss the Community Shield on August 10, which falls just one day after the conclusion of the Olympic men’s football tournament.
Notably, Lionel Messi has also been left out of Argentina’s Olympic squad, having previously confirmed he could not compete in both the Copa America and the Olympics.
This development underscores the ongoing challenge clubs face in balancing player commitments to national teams with their own pre-season and competitive needs. For Manchester United, Garnacho’s availability for pre-season preparations could prove crucial as they aim to improve on their disappointing 2023/24 campaign and make a strong start to the new Premier League season.
Credit: 90min.com
