Erik ten Hag hints at Facundo Pellistri staying at Manchester United beyond January transfer window
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hinted at Facundo Pellistri staying beyond deadline day of the upcoming transfer window. The Uruguay international will not be allowed to leave on loan.
The 20-year-old made his long-awaited debut for the Red Devils against the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Charlton Athletic, coming on as a substitute. Against the League One outfit, the young forward set up Marcus Rashford’s first goal as the match ended 3-0.
Subsequently, Pellistri was handed his second appearance for the Old Trafford side in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the first leg of the semi-final of the EFL Cup. The Uruguayan replaced Antony in the 71st minute.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News ahead of United’s match against Reading in the FA Cup, Ten Hag indicated that the 20-year-old’s recent chances are an indication of his future at the club.
“We have our ideas for some players we are open for loans but with some players they are not, because they are first, talented, they have to develop first in our environment.
“Second, we have many games to cover and we need players to cover that. When you play 30 games in 10 days you need a lot of players. The way we put on Pellistri on Wednesday is already a signal.”
Pellistri was signed by the Red Devils in the summer of 2020 from Penarol. After spending a few months in Manchester, the youngster was sent out on loan to Deportivo Alaves.
The 20-year-old also spent the 2021/22 campaign with them in La Liga. However, the Uruguayan’s spell in Spain was not a fruitful one. He struggled to break into Los Blanquiazules’ first team.
Upon returning to the Old Trafford side, Pellistri has found minutes on the pitch hard to come by. The youngster has had to bide his time to get an opportunity.
Ten Hag has a number of players capable of playing on the wings. Marcus Rashford has been our talisman on the left. On the other hand, Antony has cemented his place on the right-hand side of our attack. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga are also at the gaffer’s disposal.
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Therefore, the 20-year-old will evidently find it tough to get into the team on a regular basis. However, considering our fixture schedule, it would be wise to keep a hold of the \Uruguyana until the end of the season.
