Argentina explains harsh reason Alejandro Garnacho was dropped from latest squad

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has explained why he omitted Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho from his latest squad.

The teenager earned a first senior international cap in June and was named in the last three squads prior to November. But Scaloni opted not to include Garnacho in his latest roster, for matches against Uruguay and Brazil, and opting instead the choose wide attackers Nicolas Gonzalez, Lucas Ocampos, Angel Di María and Paulo Dybala.

Explaining that decision, the Argentina boss admitted that a drop in form has led to Garnacho slipping down the pecking order.

“The reason for not calling up Garnacho? Ale’s non-selection is due to a form issue," he said in his press conference,” said Scaloni.

“We don’t like to bring players in and constantly leave them out or leave them out of the squad. Everyone wants to be there and it’s great, but the human side plays and you have to make decisions.”

Of United’s 18 matches this season Garnacho has made nine starts, although between late August and the end of October the youngster didn’t start in any of the club’s 11 Premier League or Champions League games due to a dip in form.

Ironically, Scaloni’s decision to drop Garnacho comes as the attacker's performances have improved and he has regained his spot in the starting XI, with Erik ten Hag selecting him from the off in the last four matches. Garancho has even forced Marcus Rashford out of his preferred role in the last two matches, with United’s no.10 selected on the right-hand side.