Erik ten Hag gives injury update on Alejandro Garnacho after Man Utd 0-0 Southampton

Erik ten Hag has given an encouraging update on the fitness of Alejandro Garnacho, after the Manchester United attacker was seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches on Sunday, and wearing a protective boot.

The attacker was on the receiving end of a robust challenge from Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, in the second half of Sunday’s 0-0 draw. The defender appeared to catch Garnacho’s ankle with a scissor-like tackle that left the no.49 writhing in pain on the pitch.

The winger managed to pick himself up and play on, despite seemingly in immense pain just a few minutes before. However, Garnacho was replaced in the 90th minute by Fred, and Ten Hag revealed after the game that he didn’t want to take a risk on the player’s fitness, especially with the Red Devils already down to 10 men.

“He [Garnacho] was limping a little bit after a bad tackle,” said the United manager. “In the end, they brought on a tall striker and I didn’t want to go for a risk.

“We were already down to 10, and then one player who is already at 90 percent. That’s why I called him off but I don’t think it was too bad.”

Ten Hag will hope the issue isn’t a long-term injury, although he does have plenty of options in the wide areas if Garnacho is out for a period of time. Antony, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Facundo Pellistri and Anthony Elanga are his main choice in the wide areas, although Bruno Fernandes has played on the right a few times this season.