Facundo Pellistri was one of Manchester United’s deadline day signings last summer.
The Uruguayan became the first player signed directly from a South American club since 2013.
In terms of what he can do, United are yet to see it. Pellistri played seven times for the under-23s and was sent on loan to Alaves.
A promising yet largely unproductive spell for Alaves demonstrated that Pellistri is not yet ready for United’s first team and can benefit from an extra year on loan.
Alaves avoided relegation from La Liga and a return to the Spanish side is very possible.
A bonus for United
When it comes to the first team, United must plan without Pellistri. He’s not ready yet.
He’s out of sight and largely out of mind. While not totally forgotten, he’s not considered to be a first team option for United in 2021/22.
And it is just as well United finally have numerous talented wide players in the squad and breaking through.
Jadon Sancho is reportedly set to join, with talks ongoing after a bid was turned down last week [BBC].
Sancho will be added to a squad containing Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Amad, Anthony Elanga, and Dan James, all of who can play the wide positions in United’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Pellistri is not required as United have so much quality. But he’s there as a future option just in case.
What if United’s scouting was spot on and Pellistri goes onto become one of the best young wingers of his generation?
The Uruguayan is only 19, and between early October and now he has bounced around from Uruguay to England to Spain. This included the lows of an under-21 EFL Trophy game at Accrington to a La Liga clash with Barcelona.
Pellistri is settling and adjusting and has a contract until 2026 at United.
The base level outcome is Pellistri becomes another Zoran Tosic like figure who barely if ever plays for the first team and gets sold on for a minor profit. United will be no worse off for having tried it.
The best scenario is if Pellistri develops into a top class winger to add to United’s growing stable of impact wide players.
It may take a couple of seasons and a couple more loan moves, but an area which was until recently one of United’s weakest, could become one of the club’s strongest with the side spoiled for choice.
Imagine how far improved the likes of Amad and Elanga could be in two seasons time, adding to Rashford, Greenwood and hopefully Sancho’s development. Then throw in a first team ready Pellistri.
The pieces are in place for a United side which can be among the most exciting attacking sides to watch over the next few seasons. If Pellistri can play a part, then that will be a huge bonus.
- Andrey Santos snubs Paul Scholes from top five midfielders of all time as one ex-Man Utd star makes his rankings
- Alejandro Garnacho receives rare reaction from one former Man Utd teammate after Aston Villa transfer
- Harry Amass is Man Utd’s Luke Shaw successor, but he is pushing to take over right now
- Ruben Amorim just got humiliated by Manchester United’s academy stars vs Rosenborg
- Jacob Devaney has one big advantage over Man Utd teammates in effort to breakthrough
- JJ Gabriel sends message after first senior Man Utd pre-season trip
- Six biggest winners from Manchester United’s 5-0 win against Rosenborg
- 12 things I liked and disliked from Man Utd’s 5-0 thrashing of Rosenborg
- Joshua Zirkzee showed for Man Utd vs Rosenborg that he can have a unique role for Carrick
- Shea Lacey impressed Man United’s analysts with more than just his goal vs Rosenborg
- Andrey Santos is fixing Man Utd in an area Casemiro was a problem, it was clear vs Rosenborg
- Three tactical lessons learned about Michael Carrick’s 26/27 approach from Rosenborg friendly
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
