Manchester United starlet Alejandro Garnacho receives shock Argentina call-up alongside Lionel Messi

Manchester United youngster Alejandro Garnacho has received a shock call-up to the Argentina side despite never having made a senior appearance at any level.

Garnacho, 17, was born in Spain and has represented his homeland at youth level. However, he is eligible to play for the South American giants through his mother, and it seems they are eager to poach him ahead of his country of birth.

The young forward has been one of the brightest success stories for United at youth level this season and has played an integral role in the club's pathway to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup with four goals in four games.

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He has 14 goals in all competitions, which includes two goals at under-23 level, plus a further five assists.

Garnacho is one of 44-players provisionally called up by Lionel Scaloni for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Venzuela and Ecuador, and it remains to be seen if he will make the final cut. Argentina have already qualified for the World Cup in Qatar and are using the opportunity to try and secure a number of talented teenagers for future use.

Amongst the long list are a number of other youngsters, with Argentina seemingly keen to secure their long-term international commitments as soon as possible. Inter Milan youngsters Valentin and Franco Carboni have also been named in the provisional squad despite having represented Italy at youth level.

United signed Garnacho from Atletico Madrid two years ago, their third Spanish acquisition of the summer after Marc Jurado from Barcelona and Alvaro Fernandez from Real Madrid.

Full 44-man Argentina provisional squad: Armani (River Plate), Musso (Atalanta)