Mizgan Masani
Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri highlights the importance of pre-season training
Young Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri understands the importance of pre-season training ahead of the start of the actual season.
The Uruguay international has been with the United senior squad throughout the camps so far. It remains to be seen whether he stays at the club for the coming season or goes out on another loan.
Pellistri has had two loan spells so far since arriving at Old Trafford in 2020. Both spells came at Spanish side Alaves – the first being in the second half of the 2020/21 season and the second being the whole of the 2021/22 season.
The 21-year-old stayed with United last season and made 10 appearances in all competitions. Here’s what he said about the importance of pre-season training (h/t MUTV):
“Being here in a tour, it’s very important because pre-seasons are the time when you have to prepare for a whole season.
“Of course, we are training so hard, sometimes too much! But it’s very important because that’s the only way we can achieve big things.
“If you don’t train hard in pre-season then it’s impossible. We are training very hard, and trying to have fun.”
Pellistri is a right winger by trade who can operate on the other side and as an attacking midfielder if required. He had a decent World Cup in the middle of last season to add to his experience as an elite-level player.
One would think that Erik ten Hag prefers Antony to be the first-choice right winger in the team. But, strength in depth is what every team is after, especially the one that needs to contest in four competitions in a season.
Although Pellistri may not be an automatic starter in the team, he could have a major role to play in cup games or when the manager asks him to play.
What the 21-year-old can do is take those opportunities with both hands. Once he starts doing that, it would automatically become tough for ten Hag to drop him regularly.
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That is how a young player breaks through a senior team. Competition for places would not only bring the best out of Pellistri, but it would push Antony as well.
