Erik ten Hag gave little away when asked whether Facundo Pellistri will leave Manchester United on loan during the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old came off the bench to make his long awaited Red Devils debut in last night’s 3-0 win against League One side Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Within five minutes of replacing Anthony Elanga in the 85th minute, United’s number 28 provided an assist for Marcus Rashford on his senior bow for the twenty-time league champions.
Despite signing for the Busby Babes in October 2020, the ten-time Uruguay international had yet to make his debut for the first team.
Erik ten Hag gives his verdict on whether Facundo Pellistri will leave Manchester United this month
Although Pellistri featured for Uruguay in last month’s World Cup in Qatar, his only competitive outing at club level this season came for United’s Under-21s against Barrow in the EFL Trophy.
But having impressed on his senior debut, Ten Hag was asked in his post-match press conference whether Pellistri would head out on loan this month.
Ten Hag said: “I see a future in him. He’s doing really well, and we have to see what’s the best.
“He is progressing. Also against Everton (friendly), I was really happy with his performance, I was happy with his performance at the World Cup, and so his progress is really good.
“He’s come on and had an effect, so that’s the next step, so I must say well done and keep going.”
Having finally made his debut for the Reds, Pellistri posted on Instagram: “The day has come. Happy to make my official debut.”
Pellistri scored against Liverpool in United’s opening game of Tour 22, but an ankle injury against Atletico Madrid in July curtailed his chances of heading out on loan during the summer transfer window.
Having joined Alaves on loan for the second half of the 2020-21 campaign, the pacey winger spent the entirety of last season with the Spanish outfit.
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