Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that Alejandro Garnacho could be back in the squad for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Ham United.
The 18-year-old has been sidelined since the middle of March due to an ankle injury, but he has recently returned to first-team training with the Red Devils.
Garnacho was again left out against Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday evening, with Ten Hag not prepared to take a chance in the early stages of his recovery.
However, the Argentina Under-20s international has a chance of featuring at the London Stadium on Sunday, when Man United will be bidding to bounce back from their last-gasp loss at Brighton.
"I think it will be the same squad. Maybe one player: [Alejandro] Garnacho, I have to see. Maybe he can be involved but we will have to see how the progress can go," Ten Hag told reporters when asked about his squad ahead of the contest with David Moyes's side in the English capital.
Garnacho had been a regular for the Red Devils before his injury, featuring on 29 occasions in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and registering five assists in the process.
The teenager's long-term future has recently been secured, meanwhile, with Man United announcing that he has penned a contract with the club until the summer of 2028.
Garnacho has featured on 15 occasions in the Premier League this season, scoring twice and providing two assists, and his return is timely, as the Red Devils attempt to secure a top-four spot in the table.
Man United are currently fourth, four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand, but the gap could be cut to a single point by the time that the 20-time English champions take to the field.
"I think we have had quite a good run so far. In our last five, we had four wins and a draw. We have everything in our hands. So, we have to focus on our performance. I trust my players, so I am quite convinced about it, yeah," said Ten Hag when asked about his side's top-four chances.
"Manchester United, of course, we need to be there, in the Champions League. We want to be there because we want to challenge with the best teams in the world. So we do everything that's in our power to get that done.
"We have to be in the Champions League and it is a battle because in the Premier League, many clubs are competing for it. We have the power and we have to fight for it as well. But we want to be there and will do everything to get there."
Christian Eriksen and Jadon Sancho will be among those pushing to return to the starting XI following Thursday's late defeat at Brighton, with Alexis Mac Allister netting from the penalty spot in the 99th minute after a Luke Shaw handball. body check tags ::
