Facundo Pellistri intends to take advantage of the current uncertainty surrounding Man United’s right wing options.
All eyes will be on one person when Manchester United announces their starting lineup and bench for this weekend’s match at Old Trafford against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jadon Sancho has dominated the news for the majority of the current international break after choosing to retaliate against Erik ten Hag after being left out of the squad for the 3-1 loss to Arsenal just over a week ago. The winger was left out of the traveling group because he did not impress the United manager during practice.
Sancho responded in a social media message that has been seen more than 62.2 million times on X, now known as Twitter, rather than remaining silent and using Ten Hag’s remarks as inspiration to strive and regain his position.
Ten Hag hasn’t talked to the media since Sancho made the aforementioned statement just before 8:30 p.m. on Sunday 3 because of the international break. When he meets with the press later this week, that will be the primary topic of conversation.
But Ten Hag will very definitely devote all of his attention to the contest with Brighton. The Dutchman’s main goal at the start of a crucial week will be to pick up three points against the Seagulls.
In just eight days, United will play three matches, two in the Premier League against Brighton and Burnley and one in the Champions League against Bayern Munich in Germany. Rotation is a guarantee with three fixtures being installed so quickly.
Even though the season has only been going for a little over a month, some players are still getting fitter. However, United might not have the choice to rotate much on their right wing depending on what Ten Hag does with Sancho.
Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford perform better on the left, Sancho’s future is still unclear, Antony is currently out of the picture, Amad is still out due to injury. Given all of those circumstances, Facundo Pellistri has never had the door wider open.
The Uruguayan is the most probable candidate to start on the right and earn his very first Premier League start. He is a throwback to a winger from earlier times, frequently eager to take on his man, beat him, and dig out a cross. He has played as a substitute twice already this season, and both times, albeit briefly against Tottenham Hotspur, he has had an effect.
Nearly three years after his arrival at Old Trafford from FC Penarol, he has earned the right to be given another shot. With just a second start for the team against the Seagulls, he should be rewarded for his outstanding levels of patience.
This weekend, United needs to make some good news, and their greatest opportunity of doing so is by getting a win and giving a significantly improved performance. Their spirits should be raised by Pellistri’s upbeat style of play.
His blunt style should encourage people to leave their seats and raise the volume. The fans of United are begging for him to be given a chance and a chance to bring something new to the team.
Even if there is a lot of pressure on Pellistri to get the job, when the door has opened in the past, he has been passed over. Since joining M16 last year, Ten Hag has experimented in numerous ways, just as any other manager would do. One of his techniques has seen Bruno Fernandes placed on the right wing.
Last season, Fernandes frequently played out wide, especially against powerful opponents, allowing United to add a second body to their midfield and improve its balance. Despite being one of the most impressive and successful teams in the Premier League, Brighton is not on the same level as Manchester City or Liverpool.
However, with Sofyan Amrabat, Scott McTominay, and possibly Mason Mount all vying for positions in midfield, Ten Hag might move Fernandes out to the wings to make room for an additional player there. That, though, would imply that United are wary of Brighton and would fuel more unfavorable commentary. It is a strategy that would make more sense four days later when playing Bayern.
Pellistri, though, is a pure winger who competes at the international level and merits his time in the spotlight.
