Argentina U-20 coach Javier Mascherano has admitted they are “grateful” after Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho’s international future was tied to them.
The coach has been speaking to TyC Sports after the latest international break, which confirmed Garnacho will be an Argentina player moving forwards.
The Manchester United youngster is highly regarded by his country, and those in charge at Old Trafford, as a result of his development under Erik ten Hag over the last year or so.
He has personally elected to play for Argentina but also had the option of playing for Spain thanks to dual nationality from his parents.
International rules mean he had the opportunity to play for both and he did start his international career with Spain’s U18 side, making three appearances for them after his debut in 2021.
He soon swapped to Argentina and was handed his debut by Mascherano in the U20s, going on to make four appearance for them before being promoted to the Argentina first team and earning his debut there earlier this year.
That didn’t tie him down to the World Cup winners, though, as players need to have made at least three appearances for the senior team before their international future is solidified.
That happened in this international break and Mascherano has stated they are grateful for Manchester United using the youngster and making him a viable option.
“Garnacho’s discovery is Garnacho’s and his decision to want to play for Argentina,” he said.
“None of this would have happened if he didn’t want to play, that is the reality, and he knows it. We are grateful. We are happy that the players who are projected can play in the major league.
“One has the responsibility of following a lot of boys who were born in Argentina and others who were not. The world has changed and gives us the possibility of seeing other players.”
