Paul Scholes believes Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst could significantly benefit from Facundo Pellistri being awarded more game time at the club.
The Uruguay international, who joined the Reds back in October 2020, was handed his first start for the club for the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against Real Betis on Thursday evening. Leading 4-1 following the first leg at Old Trafford last week, United manager Erik ten Hag made the decision to make a few changes.
Pellistri was among those to benefit from the Dutchman's thinking, being handed a full debut on the right wing. His six previous appearances for the club had all come via the bench.
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The youngster stepped off the bench during the second half of last Thursday's triumph over Betis and played a key role in Weghorst scoring the Reds' fourth goal of the game. His directness and ability to dig out a cross allowed Weghorst to turn the ball home from close range after Scott McTominay's initial effort was saved by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
And Scholes believes, as a result of Pellistri's style of play and desire to get crosses into the penalty area at the first available opportunity, the decision could serve Weghorst well.
"I think over recent performances he probably deserves his chance," Scholes told BT Sport, addressing Ten Hag's decision to give Pellistri his full debut. "He came on last week in the game and made the fourth goal by sheer pace down the outside.
"I think he will be a different player to Antony; I don't think he is as tricky, as fancy and not wanting to cut inside. He is very much an old-fashioned winger with real pace, going down the outside and getting crosses in.
"He might help Weghorst. If Weghorst is the man in the middle, he can provide the cross for him because he is that type of player."
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