Alejandro Garnacho's trajectory has been rocketing skywards before he even made his Manchester United debut but now he has suffered his first setback.

Garnacho made his international debut for Argentina back in June and has gone on to earn three caps in total for the World Cup winners. He was also called up during the international breaks in September and October but has lost his place in the squad this time around.

Lionel Scaloni has two massive World Cup 2026 qualifiers over the next week and has opted to recall veteran winger Angel Di Maria into his squad, which has seen Garnacho miss out. It will no doubt come as a blow to a player who has started the last four games for United and is so keen to play for his country.

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After making his debut, Garnacho took to Instagram to say: "And if this is just a dream never wake me up. Beautiful."

Losing a place in the international squad is always going to sting. It could come as a blow to the youngster's confidence but it could actually be of benefit to United in the long run.

For the first time since he first broke into the first team in 2022, Garnacho has established himself as a regular in the starting XI. He has been helped immensely by Jadon Sancho's annexation from the side and Antony's diabolical form, but he has still managed to push Marcus Rashford out of his favoured position in order to be accommodated.

Garnacho's performances haven't torn up any trees just yet - though he was bright and worked hard in the defeat to FC Copenhagen - but the very fact he is starting so often, completing 90 minutes and getting to grips with the physical demands of consistent football is a positive.

Additionally, it looks to be an attacking set-up - with Rashford on the right and Bruno Fernandes behind Rasmus Hojlund - that could actually bear fruit for United after such a barren campaign in front of goal. Garnacho is quietly becoming key to that.

But with an increased workload comes an increased risk of injuries. If there is one thing United do not need it's more of those. They have absolutely ravaged the squad this season and though Erik ten Hag must take the brunt of criticism for his team's steep decline, the sheer number of players he's had unavailable must be taken into account.

Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are long-term absentees, practically every defender has had an ailment to some degree and Casemiro, Mason Mount, Sofyan Amrabat, Rasmus Hojlund, Amad and Kobbie Mainoo have all spent time on the sidelines.

You can add Christian Eriksen to the list given he hobbled off on Sunday and he was followed off the pitch by Hojlund, who picked up his second knock of the season. The thought of United's striker being out for any length of time is terrifying but especially when the attacking system was just taking shape.

Any more injuries at this stage would verge on catastrophic for United. So it's by no means a negative that a teenage player isn't travelling halfway across the world for the third month in succession.

Garnacho could well use the break to recuperate and ensure no injury or burnout occurs. It may hurt personally for Garnacho not to be involved but it can only benefit him and his club.