Facundo Pellistri only came on with eight minutes to play in Manchester United’s win over Real Betis on Thursday night, but he did enough to leave Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves wanting to see more of the young winger.
United saw off the Spaniards 4-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie at Old Trafford, getting one foot into the quarter-finals ahead of the second meeting in Spain.
The score was 3-1 when the Uruguayan got a rare run out in the first team and within a minute the Red Devils had got their fourth, largely thanks to his fine work.
The 21-year-old showed great pace as he took a long way round two Betis defenders on the edge of the box, before cutting the ball back across the six-yard box.
Scott McTominay saw his shot saved, but Wout Weghorst pounced on the rebound to score and the big Dutchman had Pellistri to thank.
Scholes was thoroughly impressed and was glad to see the winger stake a claim for more chances in the first team.
‘He’s made a case for himself tonight, Pellistri, he looked really quick down that right hand side,’ Scholes said on BT Sport. ‘I think he played every game for Uruguay in the World Cup, so he’s been patient.
‘He goes right round the houses there and still beats them for pace!’
It was Pellistri’s speed that stunned Hargreaves, who thinks he brings something to the wide areas that other United wingers fail to.
Asked why he hasn’t had more chances, Hargreaves said: ‘I don’t know. I was amazed at how quick he was!
‘You see Jadon [Sancho] and Antony, they like to dribble, slow down and come inside, he doesn’t want any of that. He was just getting on the outside, old school, just sprinting past people and it was good to see because when he does that the centre-forwards know when the balls going to come, whereas the other wingers take a lot of touches.
‘Scholesy’s right, that was a brilliant cameo, I think United fans would love to see a little bit more of him.’
Pellistri played in all three group games for Uruguay in Qatar this winter but is a long way down the pecking order at Old Trafford with a lot of competition for places on the flanks.
He has made just one Premier League appearance this season, but that may well now change in the coming weeks.
MORE : Owen Hargreaves names ‘best player on the pitch’ as Manchester United thump Real Betis in Europa League
MORE : Bruno Fernandes challenge labelled ‘stupid’ by Manchester United legend Paul Scholes
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
