Erik ten Hag has praised Facundo Pellistri after his impressive cameo when Manchester United beat Betis on Thursday.
Pellistri came off the bench as United turned 3-1 into 4-1 in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 clash at Old Trafford.
He made an instant impact, setting up Wout Weghorst’s goal which should have put the tie beyond doubt ahead of the second leg.
Pellistri was not in the matchday squad for the previous Premier League game, that awful 7-0 defeat at Anfield.
Erik ten Hag says Facundo Pellistri did not deserve to be left out at Liverpool
Speaking to club media, Ten Hag said that exclusion was not merited, stating: “He is the example by deserving his position by performance on the training [ground].
“And I said the other day, I did not select him for Liverpool and it was not even totally justified because he was training that well.
“Now this was his moment to come on because of a longer period he performed in training. What impressed me was he came on and, straight [away], showed himself.
“When they came on, Scott [McTominay] and Pelli, it was 3-1 but 4-1 is huge, to make the extra goal. In the first moment, they did, which was brilliant.”
Pellistri has been impressive in the cameos he has had this season, and as Ten Hag has hinted at, arguably deserves more chances.
But Ten Hag does not give out chances easily, and young players need to earn their opportunities in a team which is performing so well right now.
Perhaps the second leg in Spain may be an opportunity for Pellistri, because Ten Hag does not rotate very often, but should have that luxury next week.
United do need depth and variety in attack and Pellistri can provide it in the crucial run-in, with the game mounting up for the whole squad.