Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag backed to give Facundo Pellistri a chance vs Brighton & Hove Albion await
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is facing a selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s clash against Brighton & Hove Albion with Facundo Pellistri eyeing an opportunity.
The Dutchman will have to cope without Antony, and it’s likely that Jadon Sancho will be unavailable as well. The club has officially announced that the Englishman will train separately from the first-team squad following his public disagreement with the manager.
Journalist Dean Jones stated that Ten Hag still has plenty of options to deploy on the right wing despite the squad missing two first-team attacking options. Jones believes the manager can look to give Pellistri an opportunity, despite his inexperience in the Premier League, or go for one of the more experienced players like Anthony Martial.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT:
“You start to consider what else they could do. You could throw Fernandes out there. I think that that’s an option you have to consider. Also, if Højlund is back in the lineup, if he goes through the middle and you’ve got Rashford, and if Martial was fit, then you’d have the potential of Rashford on one flank and Martial on another. So, you’d have to consider that. Once Mount is fit again, he could go and play that position. So, Pellistri does look the most obvious fit for that role, but there are also a few other situations that I think ten Hag will be weighing up in the coming weeks.”
As we anticipate, United may deploy Marcus Rashford on the left flank, given his excellence in that position. With Rasmus Højlund‘s return from injury, he could potentially feature in the centre. Anthony Martial, though ineffective in his two starts, could influence team selection with his experience.
United currently find themselves in the 11th position in the Premier League table after an inconsistent start to the season. The off-field controversies have made it harder for the club to maintain their focus on football.
Ten Hag took over from interim manager Ralf Rangnick on 23rd May 2022, now in his second season. The Dutchman has spent around €450 million at the club since joining. Given the high expectations at Old Trafford, fans anticipate success this season.
However, the poor start to the campaign has made life difficult for him. With Antony and Sancho now unavailable, the United boss has an opportunity to try something new.
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Ten Hag has used Pellistri as a substitute in two games this season. It’s uncertain whether the 21-year-old Uruguayan will get the opportunity to start for the Red Devils this weekend. Old Trafford will be enthusiastic and supportive if he gets the chance to start this Saturday.