Alejandro Garnacho faces a spell on the sidelines after his ankle injury suffered in the last Premier League match with Southampton.
United’s official update says Garnacho will miss ‘a number of weeks’ with the full timescale uncertain.
Erik ten Hag was asked whether Garnacho will return before the end of the season and he was optimistic.
With United still competing for silverware, Ten Hag is hopeful the young winger could end up playing a key role at the end of the campaign.
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Ten Hag already plotting Garnacho return
Erik ten Hag wants Alejandro Garnacho to focus on helping United later this campaign, especially if there is still silverware up for grabs.
He told the club website: “He will be back before the end of the season. We can win a lot so he has to be ready.”
The manager spoke highly of the teenager’s progress on the pitch, commenting: “He makes good progression and he was selected by the national team. He was in a really good development.”
A year ago Garnacho was leading United’s under-18s to success in the FA Youth Cup. This season he has established himself as a first team regular.
United could still reach two finals in May, competing in a FA Cup quarter-final this weekend at home to Fulham
Tonight the side face Real Betis looking to confirm a place in the Europa League quarters, already 4-1 up from the first leg.
United have a taste for trophy success already under Erik ten Hag, winning the Carabao Cup last month. Garnacho featured in the competition but was an unused substitute in the final itself.
He will be desperately hoping his teammates can progress to two more finals, and for his recovery to go to plan so he can contribute in a meaningful way.
Garnacho has already proven he can win matches at first team level, and his first season could yet end in a very special way.