Argentina boss outlines plan for Manchester United ace Alejandro Garnacho ahead of friendlies

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has confirmed that he plans to give Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho his senior debut ahead of their upcoming friendlies with Australia and Indonesia.

Garnacho, who committed his future to United by signing a new five-year deal at Old Trafford back in April, has linked up with the national team following the conclusion of the 2022/23 domestic campaign. The youngster returned from injury during the run-in and featured in each of the Reds' last five matches.

Argentina wanted to include Garnacho in their squad for the Under-20 World Cup last month but United blocked his exit, insisting that they wanted to retain him for the end-of-season run-in. Now though, the Spanish-born winger could be set to earn his senior debut for the 2022 World Cup winners.

They face Australia in Beijing on Thursday, June 15, before locking horns with international minnows Indonesia four days later at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta. And boss Scaloni is planning to give Garnacho an opportunity to impress in those two matches.

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"The idea is for Garnacho to play, to enjoy the minutes and to see how he does with his team mates," said Scaloni. "The expectation is to see these guys who are coming for the first time. Give them time, minutes.

"And that they gradually join those who were already there. In principle, the idea is that (Garnacho) comes and joins the team. We will analyse if he will play from the start or have minutes."

Garnacho's inclusion in the Argentina squad for their upcoming friendlies marks his third call-up to the senior squad, though he was forced to pull out through injury