Two twists of fate have given young Uruguayan World Cup star Facundo Pellistri an unexpected chance to impress at Old Trafford and no-nonsense manager Erik ten Hag has urged him to do it quickly.
Winger Pellistri was close to joining Watford on loan in January but United needed reassurances about Jadon Sancho’s availability following his mid-season absence before they would sanction it – and the fixture list put Sancho’s comeback game against Nottingham for February 1 , 24 hours after the window closed.
While still at United, Pellistri then benefited from Alejandro Garnacho’s ankle injury last weekend against Southampton to make his first Europa League start for the club on Thursday.
Pellistri impressed and could score more run-outs against Fulham in the FA Cup today.
Ten Hag believes young talent cannot linger around at a club the size of United to make a difference.
Facundo Pellistri has been handed first-team chances at Man United in recent weeks
Erik ten Hag urged the 21-year-old Uruguayan to seize every opportunity that arose
“Of course he can do it, but you have to earn it. You must collect it yourself,” ten Hag explained of Pellistri’s prospects.
“We will help him. The style of play, the culture, will help him with that. The coaches work hard with him but in the end the players have to take their chances. They must earn their chances by performing every day, on and off the pitch.
“Manchester United is not a place where we can have the patience to try one for 10 games. No, you have to perform.’
Paul Scholes says Pellistri’s direct style, in which he takes on his full-back and tries to bring in crosses, could benefit United’s attacking play as Antony often prefers to cut in from the right flank to his left foot.
“He (Pellistri) has the skills to do it at United, like others who come from the youth, like Garnacho, like Kobbie Mainoo. Pellistri is one of them. So there are more who can do it, but you have to contribute to the team.’
United have been cup specialists this season and are unbeaten in their last 18 games in the Europa League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup, winning against NewCastle at Wembley.
The club have won the FA Cup just once since 2004 and will be without midfielder Casemiro, who is suspended for four domestic games.
The team are looking for other leaders but ten Hag admits he’s been impressed club captain Harry Maguire has developed a more vocal presence at the club and on the pitch.
“I’m very happy with the progress Harry is making at this moment,” said ten Hag, who has only used the England defender when Raphael Varane needed a break.
“He’s more dominant and dictates, shows more initiative in the training room and we saw it against Betis too.
“In the game he showed leadership qualities, especially in terms of initiative and dictation of the game.”
Pellistri impressed with his direct style and made his debut against Real Betis on Thursday
Ten Hag also praised club captain Harry Maguire’s leadership qualities on and off the pitch
Forward Anthony Martial could be back in action for the first time in six weeks after returning to training after suffering a hip injury.
The Frenchman could be among a group of players including Scott McTominay and Maguire who are set to leave United in the summer but ten Hag remains confident in the Frenchman.
“Every time he’s available, he really makes a good contribution to the team performance and the level of the team,” said the manager.
“He’s training at the moment, he’s available, we’re just working with him to get fit.”
Martial has managed to play just 14 games this season with questions about his injury record.
