Erik ten Hag has confirmed Alejandro Garnacho will be out for “weeks” but revealed the Manchester United winger will play again before the end of the season despite suffering an injury against Southampton.

Ten Hag was unhappy with the tackle that saw Garnacho sustain a “serious” ankle injury and challenged the teenager to make a speedy recovery as United look to end the season with more silverware.

The 18-year-old was left writhing in pain following a challenge by Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters in Sunday’s 0-0 draw but played on for seven minutes after receiving treatment. Ten Hag initially downplayed concerns about the severity of the issue despite Garnacho being seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches with his right foot in a protective boot.

The teenager said on Tuesday he would “not be able to help my team and team-mates in the upcoming games” due to ankle ligament damage that rules him out of Argentina duty this month.

Garnacho misses United’s final two matches before the international break but Ten Hag hopes he still has a big part to play as they attempt to add the Europa League and FA Cup to their Carabao Cup triumph.

“I can’t say exactly (what the timescale is) at this moment but it will take weeks, so it’s a serious injury,” Ten Hag said.

“I didn’t expect (that) but a foul, a serious injury once again after Christian Eriksen (after a tackle by Reading’s Andy Carroll). We have a serious injury after contact.

“Of course it’s difficult. He makes great progression and he was selected by the national team. It was a big moment for him and 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 has to do now is deal with it, deal with the setback and then work, invest to get back before the end of the season because (at the) end of the season, we can win a lot. So, he has to be ready to get back as soon as possible.”

Source: www.skysports.com