Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho is gearing up for his first Copa America tournament with Argentina.
Alejandro Garnacho is one of two Manchester United players in the Argentina squad this summer, along with experienced centre-back Lisandro Martinez.
Martinez is on record explaining he is ‘very proud’ of what the defender has achieved already in his career, recently leading Manchester United to win the FA Cup Final.
Garnacho’s Argentina teammates do not know him so well. He has made only five international appearances to date, which have combined for just 170 minutes of playing time.
It’s unclear what kind of role he will have at the Copa America, but there are high hopes for him beyond just this specific tournament.
Leandro Paredes on Alejandro Garnacho
Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes spoke at a press conference ahead of the Copa America, and made reference to Garnacho.
He explained how Garnacho, and Inter Milan midfielder Valentin Carboni, both 19, have made an impression behind the scenes.
Paredes was quoted by Santa Fe Deportivo: “I see both of them very well, they have a very great future ahead of them. I hope they continue to grow and learn.
“Let them continue with this mentality that they have that will surely make them grow a lot. Hopefully we (the team) can make them feel comfortable and continue growing alongside us.”
Argentina still have the core of their 2022 World Cup squad together, but by time the 2026 tournament rolls around, it could look very different.
This Copa America is very much about testing and preparing Garnacho and other young players, for when their time comes.
There are rightly high hopes for the Manchester United prodigy, who is the most valuable Argentine teenager since Lionel Messi.
Alejandro Garnacho’s summer in the USA
Manchester United supporters want Alejandro Garnacho to enjoy the tournament, and for it to be a positive experience for him.
What we don’t want is for it to be draining. He needs recovery time after a long season in which he played 50 games.
United will want Garnacho to have a decent pre-season too, and there won’t be much respite in-between.
In fact, with the Copa America taking place in the USA, where Manchester United’s pre-season tour will be held in late July, Garnacho might as well stay out there in-between, to save flying back and forth.