Erik ten Hag issues a challenge to Manchester United winger - report

Erik ten Hag has told Facundo Pellistri needs to do to get game time at Manchester United.

The Red Devils signed Pellistri from Penarol for £9 million in October 2020, but he is yet to make his competitive debut for United.

In the pre-match press conference for United’s Europa League clash with FC Sheriff, Ten Hag was quizzed about the 20-year-old’s first-team chances.

The manager responded: “He was injured [for a] long period [after] Atletico Madrid – bad injury. So he is now returning. 

“We have some young players in the background in offensive positions. 

“[There is] quite good competition there and they have to battle for it to convince us, to convince me, to be in the team. He is one of the options.”

Facundo Pellistri needs to earn Erik ten Hag’s trust

The Uruguayan was a part of the club’s pre-season tour, where he bagged a goal against arch-rivals Liverpool in Bangkok.

However, he sustained an ankle injury against Atletico which ruled him out of a possible loan move.

He was previously loaned out to Alaves on two separate occasions but was unable to stamp his authority.

Despite failing to make his first-team debut for United, Pellistri is rated highly in Uruguay.

He already has seven international caps and was recently named in La Celeste’s provisional World Cup squad.

There has to be something special about Pellistri.

It is not often we see a player selected for a major tournament such as the World Cup without playing a single minute at club level.

Ten Hag named him on the bench in the last seven games but did not send him on.

It looks like the young winger is not too far away from his United debut, but he still needs to produce in training and earn the manager’s trust.

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