Manchester United have blocked Alejandro Garnacho from playing in this summer's Under-20 World Cup in his native Argentina.
Although Garnacho, 18, has been injured for six weeks and only just returned to training, United boss Erik ten Hag said the club will not be releasing him to play in the tournament. Asked if United will allow the winger to play for Argentina, Ten Hag said: “No, we don't release him.
“He will return tomorrow in team training, partially. Then we will have to see when he can return to full training, and back into matches.” Ten Hag also revealed he subbed goalscorer Jadon Sancho at half-time in Thursday's 2-2 draw at Spurs because he wanted more energy and work ethic in the team.
“He scored a great goal,” said Ten Hag. “I think he had to score another one. He had quite a good performance. But also we lost control and also in the pressing before half-time, the defensive organisation on the left side wasn’t great, co-operation. So I hoped to improve that.”
Ten Hag has hailed Bruno Fernandes as the example Manchester United's players must follow if the club is to build a winning culture. The midfielder was pictured wearing a protective boot after injuring his ankle during United's FA Cup semi-final win against Brighton on Sunday, but recovered in time to captain the side in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
United were two goals up at half-time, with Fernandes instrumental in setting up Marcus Rashford to score after Jadon Sancho had given the visitors an early lead. Spurs hit back after the break and claimed a point thanks to goals from Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min.
After watching his team let a two-goal lead slip, United's manager praised his skipper's readiness to suffer for the cause and called on the players to make Fernandes their inspiration if they are to find the consistency to compete on all fronts.
"I think as Man United and as a top team then you have to compete and go for the win in every competition you are in, so that's what we are doing," said Ten Hag. "That is the culture we want to construct, so that is what we are doing. It has to be in the mindset of every player and every employee who is working for Manchester United."
Of Fernandes's recovery he said: "It was tough, a big compliment on Bruno. He absolutely doesn't want to miss this game and he did everything to get fit. I think he is the example, and that you have to suffer and you have to sacrifice when you want to play on the top level, you want to achieve something.
"So once again he showed there how great a captain he is, how he has taken responsibility, even when he is not 100 per cent fit. But he did the job, he was important in this game as well. Hopefully the team can, not learn, but see him as an inspiration and do the same."
