Should Garnacho go to the World Cup?

The exciting winger came off the bench on Thursday night to register two assists in the 4-2 win the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa. He has also scored in the 1-0 Europa League victory against Real Sociedad and made his maiden Premier League start against Villa last weekend.

Garnacho has played four times at Under-20s level for Argentina, after being born in Spain. Speaking after the Carabao Cup victory, Ten Hag said that it may be a big step for the youngster, and he needs to not rush into anything in order to continue to develop.

“It is difficult to say,” admitted Ten Hag at a press conference. “I don’t know of all the Argentina players, I don’t know. Of course, I know a lot of players from Argentina. But what is it for [the] 26 players? What is available for them? And another thing is that it is a big step to go to the World Cup, where the best players in the world come together.

“It is a big step. And I don’t know if it is the right step for him. I think he has to keep his head clean, stay calm, work hard and develop, and go from game to game.”

Since breaking into the first team, Garnacho has had a big impact and has shown the ability that made him a name for himself in the FA Youth Cup-winning side. When asked whether or not he could be a starter in the future, Ten Hag highlighted what the 18-year-old has to do in order to establish himself as a future Manchester United star.

“Depends on his approach," he reasoned. "On his attitude. When he keeps working, keeps this attitude, yes, then it is possible. If he keeps his attitude and works every day and doing the right things in his lifestyle, yeah then it is possible.

“Because, you see he has great capabilities what contributes to attacking football. And he has something that can break open a really compact defending line. And I think all teams that want to attack want to play in the opponents' half.

“You need players like them that can outplay them. And also, in the final decisions, he can do the right things. So once again, it depends on his attitude, can he do the defending stuff, the discipline? When he can do that, yeah it is possible.”

Erik added to club media: "Yeah, he is in good development, I’m quite sure, but he still has a lot to learn, like he has to pass the ball back, where he got injured and it was almost a counter against us.

"But he has capabilities that the fans like but also, more importantly, what contributes to compact opponents. He can outplay defending lines with a lot skills. That is what I like."

Lisandro Martinez looks certain to be named in the Argentina squad for the tournament, with the South Americans fancied as one of the strong favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar.