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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Daniel Murphy

Facundo Pellistri could be about to get what he wants from Erik ten Hag at Manchester United

Manchester United earned a point on Sunday but it will still go down as a costly afternoon.

Casemiro's second red card of the season means he will be hit with an extended suspension and banned for four games. The Brazilian will miss the FA Cup tie with Fulham and then Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, Brentford and Everton.

Those are some tricky games at the best of times, let alone without your best midfielder when you're already missing Christian Eriksen and Marcel Sabitzer is also sidelined. Then late on Alejandro Garnacho was on the wrong end of a scything challenge.

ALSO READ: United player ratings vs Southampton as Martinez good and Weghorst poor

It was similar to the scissor tackle from Andy Carroll that put Eriksen on the shelf for months and just like the Dane, Garnacho hobbled out of Old Trafford on crutches with his foot in a protective boot.

Hopefully the Argentine hasn't suffered an injury as serious as his teammate's and Erik ten Hag was optimistic after the goalless draw with Southampton. "He was limping a little bit after the bad tackle." the manager said. "They brought on another striker and I didn't want to take a risk. We were already down to 10 and with one player who is maybe 90%. That's why I took him off but I think it's not too bad."

Should that be the case then it will be a massive relief. Garnacho has been electric this season and one of the players who has been capable of changing a game from the bench with decisive actions. Losing him for any length of time would be a big blow.

But one potential silver lining is that it could provide an opportunity for Facundo Pellistri to build upon his impressive but brief appearances. The Uruguayan was signed back in 2020 but it's only this season that he has finally made his debut.

This is surprising as he's looked quite good in his limited time on the pitch. Pellistri has made six appearances, all from the bench, and has made key contributions in the build-up of three goals. The latest came against Real Betis after he'd only been on the pitch for a matter of seconds.

Fernandes picked Pellistri out with a corner and then he turned on the afterburners to leave three defenders in the dust before his cut-back was eventually turned in by Wout Weghorst. He was brought on in the closing stages against Southampton, too, and was so positive in possession as he looked to create a winning goal.

His raw pace and directness are something United lack in their other wingers and he's still just 21, so has plenty of room to improve. But he needs more minutes if he is to build upon it.

Should Garnacho be out for any amount of time then Pellistri will move up the pecking order in his absence and should get more opportunities. Thursday's trip to Seville would be a perfect opportunity to hand him his first start in a red shirt with United already 4-1 up on aggregate.

Pellistri has been showing signs of real talent with his positive impacts and now United could be about to learn just how good is.

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