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Manchester United youngster named in South American national squad for under-20 World Cup

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Manchester United youngster Mateo Mejia has been named in Colombia’s preliminary squad for the under-20 World Cup.

There has been a conflict of interest for Alejandro Garnacho due to the timing of the FIFA under-20 World Cup, which begins later in May.

Argentina had sent a delegation to Manchester to plead their case to release Garnacho, only to be blocked.

With Manchester United battling for Champions League qualification and contesting a FA Cup final in early June, there was no chance Garnacho would be released.

Erik ten Hag told a press conference last week, via The Mirror: “No, we don’t release him.”

There is one player who it appears will be heading to the tournament, who can tell Garnacho all about it.

Manchester United U21 v Everton U21:  Premier League 2
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images

Mateo Mejia called up by Colombia

Manchester United youngster Mateo Mejia has been named in the Colombia under-20 preliminary squad for the tournament.

Mejia was named among the 25 players called up by FCF Colombia, confirmed via Instagram.

The 20-year-old switched allegiances from Spain to Colombia last year, subsequently making his under-20s debut for the South American country.

Mejia is enjoying a breakthrough season for Manchester United’s under-21s after finally shaking off his injury woes which have held him back since his 2019 move from Real Zaragoza.

He leads the under-21s for assists and scored his first under-21 goal at Old Trafford at the end of March.

He recently trained with the first team – however, he is not really being considered for selection, so he is expendable from the perspective that he can play in the under-20 World Cup with no issues.

A;Alejandro Garnacho on the other hand, is simply too important.