Alejandro Garnacho is proving Manchester United and Erik ten Hag right

The club vs country row in football feels as old as time.

This weekend Alejandro Garnacho will likely be in action for Manchester United at Bournemouth. In a parallel universe he might have been 7,000 miles away taking on Uzbekistan Under-20s.

Garnacho was wanted by Argentina U20 coach Javier Mascherano for the World Cup which kicks off this weekend. Argentina were awarded the tournament at late notice following political problems in Indonesia. They hadn’t actually qualified but their back door entry gave United a decision to make.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag will have to get creative to beat City in FA Cup final

They were within their rights to reject any call for Garnacho as the competition is taking place outside the official international window. Quite why that is remains a puzzle but it wasn’t Erik ten Hag’s to solve. He didn’t want to lose his talented winger at a crucial part of the season.

Garnacho has returned from injury in recent weeks and scored the match-clinching second against Wolves last time out. He has become something of a go-to man off the bench and will likely continue that role in the run-in as United chase a top-four spot and Champions League football as well as victory in the FA Cup final.

The 18-year-old will have a part to play even if United’s decision to rebuff Argentina’s advances has denied the player the experience of tournament football and raised a wider question about the best development path for young players.

Ultimately, FIFA’s scheduling has created an unnecessary dilemma and one that is being faced by several clubs, not just United. Chelsea have come in for criticism for keeping Carney Chukwuemeka at Stamford Bridge, where he hasn’t started a league game since January, and not