Erik ten Hag says Facundo Pellistri will have to "battle" his way into contention to start for Manchester United.
United signed Pellistri, 20, from Penarol for £9million on transfer deadline day in October 2020 but he has still not made his competitive debut.
The right winger scored in friendly wins over Derby County and Liverpool in successive summers and he has been included in the last seven matchday squads but was unused by Ten Hag.
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Pellistri embarked on two separate loan spells with Alaves and seemed set to head out on loan again until he sustained an ankle injury in the pre-season friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid on July 30.
"He was injured, a long period against Atletico Madrid," Ten Hag said. "Bad injury. So he is now returning.
"We have young players in the background in the offensive positions, quite good competition there. They have to battle for it and to convince us and to convince me they deserve to be in the team. So he's one of the options."
Although he is struggling for playing time with United, Pellistri attained his first Uruguay cap in January and could be included in their 26-man squad for the World Cup.
United have six games to play in three competitions before the domestic season is halted for the Qatar finals but Ten Hag has advised players not to ease off in the weeks leading up to it.
"Focus is so important because when you don't have the right focus the risk of injury is even more," Ten Hag explained. "We want also to come in the right shape, the right form into the World Cup, so therefore it's important they keep the rhythm.
"And in every game you have to be good and well prepared because that gives you a better chance that you are good in the World Cup as well.
"And then the third point is we are here in the season, it's an important block to qualify for Europe and we want to be number one in the group and that [skips] one round, that's important as well because that means fewer games in February and it could also be a period with a lot of games.
"We have to cover that and for the league, we have to get in the right position for the league. And then we have the cup. We want to win every game, we want to win every trophy, so we have to go for it, so stay in the right mood, the right focus and the spirit of the team.
"I think it is the wrong idea (some national coaches want players rested) because they only have one week and then the World Cup starts. Keep in the rhythm, keep in the right fitness and shape and then they will be ready for the World Cup. They are best prepared.
"Of course, it is not optimum. That is clear. It is a different World Cup, but that is something national managers have to deal with. That is the way it has to go."
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