Image via: David Dixon/Geograph. CC BY-SA 2.0. OTF Logo added.
Facundo Pellistri has to convince Erik ten Hag he deserves first team minutes this season.
Going back a few months, Manchester United absolutely had a solid pre-season under Erik ten Hag.
From first-team to youth level, United’s squad looked impressive in this new system. Obviously, it takes time for players to fully adapt and adjust. One player who falls into that bracket is Facundo Pellistri.
The Uruguayan looked sharp in moments, as he was given minutes by the gaffer on tour. The talent is obviously there, it’s just about staying fit and taking your chances.
Sadly, a loan move for Pelistri was ruined when he was ruled out for two months with injury. However, he’s now back fit again.
Now, while speaking to the media pre-Sheriff, Ten Hag has named the talented 20-year-old as ‘one of the options’ for first-team minutes this season. However, it’s up to the player to ‘convince’ the manager he deserves to be in the team.
Check out what Erik ten Hag had to say on Facundo Pellistri:
“He was injured, [for a] long period,” Ten Hag told the media, including ManUtd.com. “[Against] Atletico Madrid, [he got a] bad injury. So he is now returning.
“We have some young players in the background in offensive positions.
“Quite good competition there and they have to battle for it to convince us, to convince me to be in the team, and he is one of the options.”
Honestly, that’s fair. Pellistri has to take any chances he is given. At first, it may just be a few minutes off the substitutes bench. Impress in those cameos and the attacker may get the chance to start matches.
Pellistri is in a good place in regards to United not having incredible depth in the wide areas right now. Outside of Marcus Rashford and Antony, the Reds are struggling in that position of the field. Now, that may well change in January, but there’s definitely an opening there for Pellistri if he wants it badly enough.
Again, this is another example of Ten Hag trying to motivate his players. There’s no doubt that Pellistri will be taking notice of these words. Who knows, we may see him out on the field against Sheriff tomorrow.
Do you think Facundo Pellistri is good enough for Man United? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.