There was one player Manchester United fans really wanted to see against Brighton. Unfortunately, talented winger Facundo Pellistri was left on the substitute’s bench.
Facundo Pellistri was seen as the obvious candidate to solve Manchester United’s new problem on the right wing, with Antony and Jadon Sancho unavailable for differing reasons.
Pellistri’s big chance did not arrive. He was brought on for only the final five minutes of the game with the atmosphere flat, with United 3-1 down. Indeed, many fans had already left Old Trafford.
The winger’s big chance will have to come another day, with United fans left to wonder if the outcome may have been different.
Reaction to Facundo Pellistri being benched, again
Facundo Pellistri has more appearances for Uruguay than Manchester United, and more starts. For United, he only has one – which came in the Europa League away at Real Betis.
His continued omission was reported on by ESPN South America, which reflected on his relative lack of involvement in another defeat for the club.
‘Facundo Pellistri, few minutes in a directionless Manchester United’, ran the headline.
The report read: “Although the Uruguayan has been given greater consideration at Manchester United , taking into account that in his first season he went out on loan and that in his second year he had almost no activity in the main squad, he has not yet earned a definitive place in the team’s consideration.”
It is noted that Pellistri still gets just ‘few minutes and sporadically’, adding that ‘the Uruguayan winger has not quite found his place and still does not have the minutes he needs.’
Why Facundo Pellistri was left on the bench
While Uruguay played two World Cup qualifiers in midweek, this was unlikely to have been a factor in his non-selection, with Casemiro picked to start after featuring twice for Brazil.
The more likely reason for Pellistri not being included, was the tactical shift to adopt a 4-3-1-2 formation, which meant United played without wingers.
This formation saw United begin the game well, before Brighton modified their approach. Erik ten Hag was too slow to respond.
By time Pellistri did get his opportunity, the game was over. Next up is a game away at Bayern Munich. Ten Hag could stick with the same formation.
Source : United in Focus
