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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Man Utd news: Alejandro Garnacho at centre of row as Red Devils exact Aston Villa revenge

Manchester United are through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup thanks to a sweet 4-2 win at home to Aston Villa.

Goals from Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay helped the Red Devils over the line in round three, with Erik ten Hag delighted that his team came from behind twice and avenged Sunday's dismal 3-1 defeat to the same opponents. United will now face Burnley in the fourth round, with the clash taking place just days after the World Cup final.

There was no Cristiano Ronaldo involved on Thursday, having been ruled out through illness just hours after it was confirmed that he'd received a call-up for his fifth World Cup. Alejandro Garnacho was one star who featured against Villa after being made the centre a row over whether or not he should play for Argentina in Qatar.

Here's a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford.

Fernandes fires United through

Bruno Fernandes scored the decisive goal to send Manchester United through to the fourth round of the EFL Cup. After Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford each scored goals to peg Aston Villa back on two occasions, the Portuguese midfielder put the Red Devils ahead in the closing stages.

Scott McTominay wrapped it up with a late goal to avenge the wretched display at Villa Park on Sunday, but it was a less positive night for a few other teammates. Donny van de Beek produced a dismal performance, while Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof showed their old frailties as a centre-back pairing. At least Martin Dubravka finally made his United debut in goal.

Seven talking points from the match.

Bruno Fernandes scored the decisive goal to help Man Utd get their revenge on Aston Villa (Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Garancho at centre of Argentina row

A late substitute in the victory over Villa, Alejandro Garnacho grabbed two assists to remind anyone who'd already forgotten about his immense talents. His form at club level has seen him come into the conversation for Argentina's World Cup squad, but not everyone agrees that he should even be considered.

An Argentine pundit claims that the 18-year-old winger "doesn't know" the country, having been born and raised in Spain and choosing to represent the Albiceleste through family heritage. Cristiano Ronaldo's name was even drawn into a fierce television debate, with Garnacho describing him as his "idol" rather than Argentina captain, and potential World Cup teammate, Lionel Messi.

Read the full story.

Alejandro Garnacho hopes to play for Argentina at the World Cup this month (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Have your say! Should Argentina call up Garnacho for the World Cup? Let us your verdict in the comments section.

Portugal boss addresses Ronaldo concerns

Speaking of Cristiano Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to feature at the World Cup for a joint-record fifth time. However, he's arguably never headed into an international tournament in such poor form.

Nevertheless, Portugal manager Fernando Santos isn't concerned. As quoted by A Bola, Santos told a press conference after naming his squad for Qatar: "All the players I have summoned are part of the plan [which] I am going to outline. Cristiano is in this [group]. In the last four games, he played. Right now he's playing. All the players I summoned come hungry to win and make Portugal world champion, Ronaldo included."

More here.

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