Alejandro Garnacho injury has handed opportunity to Manchester United teammate

When Alejandro Garnacho went off injured in the goalless draw against Southampton, it soon became clear the youngster would miss the games against Real Betis and Fulham. Having just been called up to the Argentina squad for the international break, it also came as a blow to the player that he was forced to withdraw.

The 18-year-old was spotted leaving Old Trafford on crutches after being on the wrong end of a challenge by Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters. He came on in the 73rd minute, but had to be taken off in added time. Although the Argentine has only made 10 starts in all competitions this term, he has still demonstrated his worth to United.

Unlike Garnacho, Anthony Elanga has endured a difficult campaign. The Swedish attacker has made 24 appearances in all competitions under Erik ten Hag, but only seven of those have come as a starter. While Elanga, 20, is a similar age to Garnacho, he is considered a more senior player, but he has fallen behind his teammate in the pecking order this season.

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Elanga has registered just two assists in all competitions this season, while Garnacho, on the other hand, has notched five goals and six assists. Although the pair are unlikely to consistently start ahead of Marcus Rashford, Antony or Jadon Sancho at the moment, they - as well as Facundo Pellistri - are battling to be the first-choice option off the bench.

With Rashford having been in scintillating form, he is always going to operate off the left flank. On the other wing, the respective price tags of Antony and Sancho means one of them will always typically start. Garnacho has made more appearances than both Elanga and Pellistri,