Facundo Pellistri – where have you been? The young Uruguayan has had to wait since October 2020 for his Manchester United debut, finally making it in January 2023.
It was brief – but Pellistri did not know if he would get another chance, so he made the most of it.
In just five minutes, coming on in the 85th, Pellistri made it count, supplying an assist to Marcus Rashford in the 90th minute.
Pellistri could have had one a few moments before too, with Scott McTominay spurning an opportunity.
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Worth waiting for
For Pellistri this was a debut well worth waiting for. He has shown flashes of quality with goals in consecutive pre-seasons, but has had misfortune with poor loan spells and injuries.
He has frequently been an unused substitute since October, and his late debut felt like a throwaway gesture from manager Erik ten Hag.
But in just five minutes, Pellistri did enough to show he might be worth a further look.
Erik ten Hag told MUTV at full-time: “Pellistri came on, it was not long, he was really lively.”
MUTV commentator David May added: “Pellistri’s done ever so well since he come on. He’s been involved in two or three incidents.
“He’s been brilliant. He really has done brilliant.”
With United short of attacking options, and Anthony Elanga failing to really seize his chance, Pellistri made a case to get more minutes.
The youngster has experience at the World Cup with Uruguay, where he looked bright, and he certainly made the most of his long awaited debut opportunity.
If this turns out to be just the prelude to a loan or even a sale, it will feel disappointing. Pellistri might just have something.