Erik ten Hag has U-turned on a once-forgotten Manchester United forward signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Facundo Pellistri seemed destined to leave Manchester United in January after not playing a single minute under Erik ten Hag, two-and-a-half years after joining the club. But no loan move came to fruition, and Pellistri has since caught the eye with several impressive cameos off the bench, changing his manager’s mind about him.
The 21-year-old arrived late in the summer of 2020 when United responded to missing out on Jadon Sancho by handing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer two Uruguayan attacking signings.
Pellistri signed alongside Edinson Cavani for a fee worth around £7million but left for Alaves on loan from January 2021 until the end of that season after not making a single appearance.
His game-time frustration continued at the start of this term, with former Chelsea legend Gus Poyet telling the youngster he should leave Old Trafford for the sake of his career.
“Pellistri will struggle to get game time,” Poyet told Midnite last year. “It would be good for him to go somewhere and play because the World Cup is around the corner and he is very important for the Uruguay team because the coach [Diego Alonso] has lots of faith in his ability, he’s a proper winger.”
But Ten Hag introduced Pellistri off the bench against Charlton Athletic on January 10 and he recorded an assist against the Addicks despite playing just six minutes.
He featured twice more that month before staying beyond the winter deadline and has gone from strength to strength since, making six appearances in total, including in the last two games.
Ten Hag’s transition from viewing Pellistri as surplus to requirements to a genuine impact substitute is a U-turn in itself.
But United are now considering tying Pellistri down to a new contract before sending him out on loan next season.
Talks are set to take place in April over his future at Old Trafford, and Ten Hag seemingly sees it under his wing.
United reportedly also want to send Anthony Elanga out on loan this summer after he slipped behind Pellistri in the pecking order.
Amad Diallo will return from his successful loan spell at Sunderland, but it isn’t yet known whether Ten Hag deems him ready to remain with the first team.
With the Red Devils still challenging for the Europa League and FA Cup this season, opportunities will arise for Pellistri before his potential loan exit.
And he could even receive his first senior start for the club in Thursday’s trip to Real Betis, with their Europa League last-16 tie all but decided after a 4-1 win in M16 last week.
Source: www.express.co.uk
