Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez have tried to help Facundo Pellistri hit lift off on his Manchester United career, according to ESPN.
Despite signing for the Red Devils from Uruguayan side Penarol two years ago when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at the helm, the 20-year-old is yet to make his senior competitive debut for the club.
Had Pellistri not suffered an ankle injury in United’s pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid, the speedy winger would have likely gone out on loan during the summer transfer window.
But despite playing just 66 minutes of football this season, which came against League Two side Barrow in the EFL Trophy, Pellistri made his World Cup debut in Uruguay’s 0-0 draw against South Korean.
Although United’s number 28 hasn’t played much good football over the last year, he remains a regular in Diego Alonso’s La Celeste’s side.
Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez helping youngster try and hit lift off on Manchester United career
Pellistri will be hoping to make it back-to-back World Cup starts when Uruguay take on Portugal tomorrow evening.
ESPN report that they expect Pellistri to go out on loan and it’ll be interesting to see whether moves to a Championship club like fellow young United forward Amad, or whether he moves to a European side.
Pellistri has spent two spells on loan at Spanish side Alaves and he’ll be hoping for regular game time wherever he goes.
Despite failing to feature under Erik ten Hag, Pellistri is reportedly “desperate” to impress and he’s doing all he can to earn a chance under the Dutchman, which is impressing United’s coaching staff.
A report from ESPN states: “Pellistri has been so desperate to impress that he regularly asks United coaches Darren Fletcher, Steve McClaren and Benni McCarthy to stay behind after training to put on extra sessions.
“McCarthy is working specifically on his shooting while teammates Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez have also helped him out.”
The eight-time Uruguay international has also reportedly been working hard in the gym to bulk up after accepting he didn’t have the physicality to compete in the English game.
Pellistri, who is yet to make his Red Devils debut despite being on the bench 12 times this season, is doing all he can to impress behind the scenes and with Martinez and Fernandes helping the youngster out – he’ll be hoping an eagerly awaited Manchester United debut isn’t too far away.