Facundo Pellistri confirmed in Uruguay World Cup squad

Add as preferred source on Google

Facundo Pellistri has been confirmed as part of Uruguay’s World Cup squad.

The Uruguayan FA released the squad on their website on Thursday afternoon, just as Pellistri was preparing for a potential Manchester United debut.

Being named in the squad will come as a real relief to Pellistri, who has not played a single minute of club football this season.

This has not helped Pellistri back up until now. He was first selected in the Uruguay squad earlier this year despite playing only a bit-part role for loan side Alaves.

Pellistri seized his chance earlier in the year during the World Cup qualifiers, providing a direct threat on the right wing which Uruguay had been lacking.

He is in with a strong chance of starting games for his country at the tournament and is not just in the squad to make up the numbers.

Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani is also in the squad, overcoming a recent injury at new side Valencia.

Pellistri hoping for United debut

Pellistri would probably be quite happy to head to Qatar right now and start preparing for the tournament if he was able to. But first, he could make his Manchester United debut tonight.

More than two years since signing for the club, tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa presents his best chance of seeing action.

He has been on the bench in recent weeks, since overcoming an injury suffered in pre-season, but has not yet featured.

Pellistri did score in pre-season in the win against Liverpool in Erik ten Hag’s first non-competitive game in charge.

Knowing he is in the Uruguay squad will be a real relief to Pellistri, but it could cause him to play with some caution if he is given an opportunity tonight.

If he gets a chance and cannot seize it, the cup tie could end up being his last match for United as well as his first, and if he is overlooked entirely, then a January exit looks a formality.