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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag angry over two fouls after Alejandro Garnacho setback

Erik ten Hag is unhappy with the challenge that has ruled out Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho for a number of weeks.

Garnacho sustained an ankle injury in United's goalless draw with Southampton on Sunday after a sliding tackle by Kyle Walker-Peters and, although he played on for seven minutes, Garnacho came off in the 91st minute.

The 18-year-old left Old Trafford on crutches and confirmed on Monday he will not play in either of United's remaining matches this month or in Argentina's friendlies against Panama and Curacao.

Read more: United might seek another explanation over Anthony Taylor's refereeing

Ten Hag expressed his frustration a second unpunished foul on a United player had resulted in a significant injury after Christian Eriksen was sidelined after a crude tackle by Reading striker Andy Carroll. Eriksen suffered the injury on January 28 and is out until late April at the earliest. Carroll was not booked for the foul.

"I can't say exactly at this moment, but it will take weeks," Ten Hag said of Garnacho's absence. "So it's a serious injury, didn't expect, but a foul. A serious injury. Once again after Christian Eriksen, we have a serious injury after contact.

"It's not a good decision and it's difficult to make a diagnosis that quickly but I saw him limping and that's why I took him off also because it was my last opportunity to sub him and to bring on as well."

"We have the injuries and we have the red cards, so what is the combination?" Ten Hag sardonically added. "We have had some talks with them, yeah, but it's not about the referee, it's about us, we have to bring our performance and we have to focus on that.

"Of course it's difficult, he makes great progress, he was selected by the national team, it was a big moment for him. He's in a really good development and you don't want to disturb that process.

"Now we have to step away from it but he will be back for the end of the season. So what he now has to deal is deal with it, deal with the setback and work, invest to get back before the end of the season, because we can win a lot so he has to be back ready as soon as possible."

When asked if he had spoken to the Professional Game Match Officials Board, Ten Hag replied: "No. I just comment on some decisions. So it was clear about Casemiro, it was the handball, it was the penalty situation with Rashford, it was the penalty situation with Bruno, it was the foul and bad injury on Garnacho, so there were some decisions you can discuss about it.

"But now it's gone and I look forward to the next game."

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