Erik ten Hag urges young winger Facundo Pellistri to grab his unexpected first team opportunity

Two quirks of fate have given Uruguay’s young World Cup star Facundo Pellistri an unexpected opportunity to make an impression at Old Trafford, and no-nonsense manager Erik ten Hag has urged him to seize it quickly.

Winger Pellistri came close to joining Watford on loan in January, but United needed reassurance about Jadon Sancho’s availability after his mid-season absence before banning him, and the fixture list had Sancho’s return against Nottingham by February 1, 24 hours after the window. closed.

Still at United, Pellistri benefited from Alejandro Garnacho’s ankle injury against Southampton last weekend to make his first start for the club in the Europa League on Thursday.

Pellistri impressed and could now get more runs starting in the FA Cup against Fulham today.

Ten Hag believes that at a club the size of United, young prospects cannot stick around to make an impact.

Erik ten Hag urged the 21-year-old Uruguayan to make the most of any opportunity that comes his way

‘Of course you can, but you have to deserve it. You have to put it together yourself,’ ten Hag explained of Pellistri’s prospects.

We will help you. The way of playing, the culture, will help him. The coaches are working hard with him, but at the end of the day the players have to take advantage of their opportunities. They have to earn their chances by performing every day, on and off the field.

‘Manchester United is not a place where we can have the patience to try one for 10 games. No, you have to act.

Paul Scholes says Pellistri’s direct style of taking on his full-back and trying to send in crosses could be beneficial to United’s attacking play, with Antony often preferring to cut from the right flank onto his left foot.

“He (Pellistri) has the ability to do it at United like others who come from youth like Garnacho, like Kobbie Mainoo. Pellistri is one of them. So there are more who can do it but you have to contribute to the team.’

United have been cup specialists this season and are unbeaten in their last 18 games in the Europa League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup, which they won at Wembley against NewCastle.

The club have only lifted the FA Cup once since 2004 and will miss midfielder Casemiro, who begins a four-game suspension at home.

He leaves the team in search of other leaders, but ten Hag admits he is impressed with club captain Harry Maguire becoming a more vocal presence at the club and on the pitch.

“I’m very happy with the progress Harry is making at the moment,” said ten Hag, who has only used the England defender when Raphael Varane needed a break.

He is more dominant and dictator, he shows more initiative in the training space and we also saw it against Betis.

‘In the game he showed leadership, especially in aspects of initiative and dictation of the game.’

Pellistri has impressed with his direct style and made his first start against Real Betis on Thursday.

Ten Hag also praised club captain Harry Maguire’s leadership skills on and off the pitch.

Forward Anthony Martial could appear for the first time in six weeks after resuming training following a hip injury.

The Frenchman could be among a group of players including Scott McTominay and Maguire to leave United in the summer, but ten Hag continues to have faith in the Frenchman.

“Every time he’s available, he really makes a good contribution to the team’s performance, at the team level,” said the coach.

“He’s training right now, he’s available, we’re just working with him to get fit.”

Martial has managed to play just 14 matches this season with doubts over his injury record.