The injury that Alejandro Garnacho sustained in Manchester United's goalless draw with Southampton on Sunday is reportedly worse than first feared.
The 18-year-old was brought off the bench at Old Trafford before sustaining an ankle issue in the dying embers due to a challenge by Saints right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.
Garnacho had only been on the field for 17 minutes before being forced off, and he was pictured leaving the stadium on crutches with his foot in a protective boot.
When asked for an update by the press after the game, Man United manager Erik ten Hag expressed hope that the former Atletico Madrid youngster had not sustained anything serious.
"He was a little bit limping after the bad tackle. I don't want to go for risk - we were already down [to ten men] - with players who were [just] 90%. I think it is not too bad," Ten Hag said.
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However, according to journalist Gaston Edul, initial assessments of Garnacho's injury have shown a more severe problem, and the attacker will not be able to link up with the Argentina squad for their upcoming friendlies with Panama and Curacao.
It is still unclear how long Garnacho will be sidelined for, but it can be assumed that the 18-year-old will not play again until after the international break, which will rule him out of at least two games for the Red Devils.
Man United travel to Spain to meet Real Betis in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie on Thursday evening - boasting a 4-1 lead from the first leg - and Fulham then lie in wait for the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon.
Garnacho will seemingly sit out both of those contests as Ten Hag works around a lengthening injury list, having already lost Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen for the long term.
Marcel Sabitzer is also nursing a knock which has kept him out of Man United's last two games, while a virus has restricted Victor Lindelof's playing time in March as well.
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Casemiro will soon begin a four-game domestic ban for his second red card of the season against Southampton, but on a brighter note, Anthony Martial is edging closer to a return from a hip problem.
The Frenchman might be considered for a comeback against Betis on Thursday night, but he will likely make the bench at best as Ten Hag continues to urge caution over his fitness.
After making his first-team debut under Ralf Rangnick last season, Garnacho has established himself as a regular for the seniors this term, coming up with four goals and five assists from 30 appearances in all tournaments.
The Argentina Under-20 international played in five of Man United's games en route to the EFL Cup trophy, but he was an unused substitute in their 2-0 win over Newcastle United in the final.
Garnacho is due to become a free agent at the end of next season, although he is said to have given the green light to a new long-term contract at Old Trafford.
Ben Knapton
