Former Manchester United star Angel Di Maria spoke passionately about current Red Devils star and Argentina teammate Alejandro Garnacho.
Angel Di Maria lasted just one season as a Manchester United player before pushing to leave the club. He scored four goals in 32 appearances in the 2014/15 campaign.
The £59.7m fee spent on Di Maria still ranks eighth in United’s most expensive signings of all time, although he failed to justify that fee.
Di Maria slammed Louis van Gaal after his United exit and it seems the Argentine doesn’t retain much love for his time in Manchester.
He does, however, admire current United star Alejandro Garnacho, who has become a key player at Old Trafford but continues to be denied game time with the Argentina national team.
Angel Di Maria demands more game time for Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho is seen as the eventual replacement for Di Maria in the Argentina squad, yet United’s academy gem has only made eight appearances for his country.
He made his Argentina debut in June 2023 as an 18-year-old, but Garnacho has had to accept a limited role when away on international duty.
However, former United star Di Maria is eager to see that change – especially with the 2026 World Cup around the corner.
As quoted by Argentine outlet DobleAmarilla, Di Maria said: “You can’t go to a World Cup without Garnacho playing 90 minutes in a single match, he needs experience.
“I saw the match against Paraguay, where they said ‘Garnacho came in there, but he didn’t…’. It’s a qualifying round, he wasn’t playing against Chelsea, who might let you play more, he needs that experience, to start feeling it,”
“They need to give those minutes to these kids who are going to represent you in a World Cup in a year and a half, in a year and something.”
“So, if I continue being there, those minutes will be shortened a little, do you understand?”
The report claims Di Maria’s comments have “sparked a great debate” in Argentina, with many agreeing with the Benfica star that Garnacho deserves more national team minutes.
Alejandro Garnacho will get Argentina chance next month
Garnacho’s form has been frustrating at United with the young winger missing a huge chance in the recent 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.
But he has a golden opportunity to impress Ruben Amorim for the remainder of the season with Amad Diallo out injured and Marcus Rashford away on loan.
Di Maria wants Garnacho to stop copying Cristiano Ronaldo and focus on improving himself as a player.
His next chance at impressing on the international stage will come next month, when Argentina are back in action for their World Cup qualifiers.
Argentina face Uruguay and Brazil in late March, and Garnacho will be eager to not only make the squad, but add to his appearance tally.
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