Erik ten Hag appears to be taking the slow and steady approach when it comes to Manchester United’s new signings.
Joshua Zirkzee scored the winner against Fulham on Friday but only after spending the first hour or so on the bench at Old Trafford. Matthijs de Ligt was also restricted to a late cameo, Harry Maguire chosen to partner Lisandro Martinez.
And one suspects that, had Luke Shaw not suffered another injury set-back, the excellent Noussair Mazraoui would have been limited to a watching brief too when Marco Silva’s side came to town.
But with Panathinaikos taking on RC Lens in a make-or-break Conference League qualifier on Thursday, Facundo Pellistri could find himself thrown in at the deep end.
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Manchester United sell Facundo Pellistri to Panathinaikos
Pellistri secured his move to the Greek giants on Wednesday.
He signs a four-year deal after a transfer fee of £5 million was agreed. As is tradition at Man United when selling talented young players these days, the Red Devils secured a sizeable sell-on clause as part of the arrangement.
Diego Alonso, the former Uruguay coach, worked with Pellistri at international level. He now reunites with the one-time Penarol starlet in Athens.
And, ahead of that trip to France, Alonso confirmed that the Montevideo-born 22-year-old could have a key role to play at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis with a place in the group-stages of continental competition on the line.
“Pellistri is here,” says Alonso, who arrives in Greece after a spell in the Sevilla dugout, via Prasinoforos. “We will see if we can use him, possibly tomorrow or in the next match.
“The player is ready.”
Alonso feels that Pellistri will be ready to go, having had some extra time off following Uruguay’s Copa America campaign. The former Granada and Alaves loanee also featured – albeit in an unfamiliar right-back role – during the Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley.
Still, the Panathinaikos boss is wary of raising expectations too high from the off.
“I had a chat with him. He has had very good physical preparation at United. He had a longer holiday period because he played in the Copa America,” Alonso explains.
“The work periods there are not the same as those here, so we will have to adapt him to our own plan. I will ask for patience.”
Winger leaves despite Community Shield appearance
Pellistri struggled for opportunities at Man United, much to the frustration of his agent.
Some bright moments on loan – particularly during Granada’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Barcelona in the winter – were not quite enough to suggest that Pellistri was ready to compete for a first-team role with the Red Devils.
Particularly following the emergence of Amad Diallo, the return of Jadon Sancho, and Alejandro Garnacho’s stellar form.
Pellistri will now be tasked with helping end Panathinaikos’ long wait for Greek Super League glory. They finished only four points shy last term but have not won the league for over a decade.
“Pelistri is a quality and skilled winger. Quick and capable in one-on-ones, he has the means to break down opposing defences,” former Panathinaikos boss and fellow Uruguayan Sergio Markarian tells SDNA.
“He marks the opponents and works effectively in the defensive part as well, offering help to the full-back behind him.
“It is no coincidence that, from an early age, he has been playing in the Uruguayan national team and at the age of 22 he is a key member of it.
“Great transfer for Panathinaikos.”
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