Facundo Pellistri scored his third goal for Manchester United’s under-23s at the weekend.
After previous strikes against Middlesbrough and then Accrington Stanley, bagging one against Manchester City made his latest strike the most significant of the bunch.
Pellistri seemed to understand the importance of it too.
He sent a message out after the fixture expressing his delight at netting his first derby goal.
Pellistri’s goal gave United a 2-1 lead after Ethan Galbraith had scored a penalty.
It was not quite enough to get the win, with the game ending in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Pellistri’s positive signs
United put Pellistri in the under-23 team rather than the first team right away to let him adjust to life in England.
It was presumed he might not start really contributing until 2021.
However, he now has three goals and one assist in six appearances, and appears to be making good progress.
Pellistri is still training with the first team and has been on the bench for a couple of Champions League games.
It is possible Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may include him on the bench over the festive period.
If United get into a position where a game is won comfortably – which is a lot to ask on present form – then Pellistri could get a few minutes.
There is a danger that his current form leads to him getting rushed into first team action if United misjudge it, and it turns out he is not ready.
So United will be closely assessing him over the coming week to see if there are any more positive signs.
At the moment, Pellistri looks like he could go on to one day become a shrewd addition.
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