Facundo Pellistri made his first senior appearance for Manchester United against Charlton in the Carabao Cup.
Despite having played 10 times for Uruguay, Facundo Pellistri earned his first senior appearance for Manchester United in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup victory over Carabao Cup. The 21-year-old came on for the final few minutes and still managed to set up Marcus Rashford.
Given his lack of playing time for the Reds, the youthful forward has been linked with a move abroad in recent months. Pellistri’s agent indicated prior to the World Cup in Qatar that his client could seek a transfer away from Old Trafford in pursuit of regular game time. He appeared three times in the Middle East and impressed on several occasions.
Pellistri appeared in the EFL Trophy win over Barrow and has been named on the first-team bench 14 times this season. The forward has yet to persuade Erik ten Hag, but his talent is apparent, and the Dutchman will be wary of letting the youngster go permanently.
Speaking ahead of the World Cup, Pellistri’s agent, Edgardo Lasalvia, told reporters: “I think that with a good World Cup, as we think it will have, his departure is imminent.”
He added: “Facundo is going to be one of the best players in the world. I have no doubts. He has enormous potential. I saw him for the first time in Las Acacias when he was 10 or 11 years old
“At that age, he already had a technique in speed. Besides, he was good to watch. Do you know how many kicks they gave him? So many. There is a reason why Manchester United bought him.”
In comparison to Alejandro Garnacho, for example, Pellistri has failed to rise through the United ranks. Garnacho has made 16 first-team appearances, scoring twice and assisting four times. While Pellistri has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford thus far, former United striker Diego Forlan has previously urged his Uruguayan colleague to break into the Reds’ first squad in the future.
Forlan, who was his manager at Penarol for a time, emphasized in January of last year that he is a long-term project with a lot of promise.
“I think he’s adjusting pretty well,” Forlan said to the club’s reporters. “When they [United] approached me about him, I told them everything – he has great potential as a player, good talents, is quick but still young.
“You know how difficult it is to get to a fantastic club like Manchester United. I believe his time on loan at Alaves was beneficial, and he now has the option to return. It’s a terrific opportunity for him because he’s still maturing. In the future, he may be able to play for Manchester United’s first team.”
Leave a Reply