Facundo Pellistri deserves a real run in United team after Fulham cameo

Facundo Pellistri has proven why he deserves a real run in the team after his Fulham cameo.

Manchester United left it super late to secure all three points against Fulham. It’s also fair to say the performance was another underwhelming one. Erik ten Hag’s side did keep battling, against a decent team (as well as VAR), to ensure a positive result. Hopefully, that will kickstart the season.

After the match, the gaffer has some huge decisions to make. There are too many players who are not performing well, though continue to be picked. I’m highlighting Antony as the biggest issue right now.

The man from Brazil was superb last season. No doubt about it. United were better when he played. However, he looks a little lost this time around. His boss labelled him a ‘fighter’ before the Fulham game, but we didn’t see much of that over the weekend.

As a result, his position should be in jeopardy. Amad is not too far away from a return and the Ivory Coast international could push hard for starts. However, I’m looking at Facundo Pellistri as a ready-made replacement.

There’s something to be said for good, old-fashioned directness. Whenever Pellistri is on the ball, he makes defenders work. He’ll run right at them, trying to penetrate and work his way into goal-scoring situations. It’s just refreshing to watch, particularly when the rest of the attackers seem to come back inside and play it back to the defence more often than not.

Perhaps it’s the rawness of youth. Perhaps he’s not been inflicted with the ‘we must not give possession away’ bug yet, but as fans, we’re all craving to see more of it. Simply put, we do not beat Fulham without him over the weekend.

It was his tenacity, desire, hunger and directness that led to the final goal. He genuinely won the ball back on three separate occasions during the move, before laying the ball off to Bruno Fernandes, who fired home. That alone is reason for the 21-year-old United star to deserve a real run in the team.

It’s interesting, really. Pellistri found himself in a similar situation earlier on in the season when both Antony and Jadon Sancho were absent. Upon the return of the former, the man from Uruguay was harshly forced out of the squad altogether for some matches.

Now, this excellent little cameo will no doubt have Pellistri firmly back in the manager’s plans – and that’s exactly what he deserves. Right now, I don’t even think it’s a stretch to say he’s the winger showing the most promise – and I include the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in that.

Ten Hag has to start playing his in-form players more. It’s working with Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire. Now, it should be Pellistri’s chance – starting with FC Copenhagen away in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Do you think Facundo Pellistri is good enough to play regularly on that right-hand side? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.