Erik ten Hag insists Facundo Pellistri has a future at Manchester United after his long-awaited debut. The 21-year-old came on in the 84th minute for his maiden United appearance in two years, three months and five days on from his £9million move and created Marcus Rashford’s second goal in the 3-0 League Cup quarter-final win over Charlton.
Erik Ten Hag said: “I see a future in him and he is doing really well and we have to see what is the best. He’s progressing, also against Everton (in the behind-closed-doors game) I was really happy with his performance, I was happy with his performance in the World Cup, his progress is really good. He’s come on and had an effect so that’s the next step. I say well done, better, and keep going.”
United won their fourth successive game at Old Trafford with a three-goal haul but substitute Rashford’s strikes both came in added time. Although United are scoring more consistently, Ten Hag is still frustrated by their lack of ruthlessness after a competitive performance by League One Charlton.
Erik Ten Hag added: “I think I was happy with the performance and you see especially we have some young guys on the pitch like (Alejandro) Garnacho. We’ve seen him more in the last weeks and again it was some really good actions. He was a threat so many times, he took on his opponent one-on-one and that is great, you like these players. Kobbie Mainoo, first time debut, did well. Pellistri came in for the first time and did really well, good actions, good assist for 2-0 from Rashford, so I was especially in the first half hour quite happy. I was less happy with the (lack of) clinical for goal, we need more effectiveness there because we create good chances in the first half hour: Dalot, Fred, the free-kick, I already mentioned Alejandro. We make a great goal by Antony, a good team goal and a brilliant finish by Antony. But I think we should have scored more already. And in the second half, a good save from Alejandro’s shot on the counter but also some actions where we needed the extra pass and we didn’t. Then until the end we have to fight for it and I don’t think they created good open chances. But still you ever know and we have to wait until the end.”
When asked for an update on United’s approach for Burnley striker Wout Weghorst,
Erik Ten Hag replied: “No, unfortunately I can’t.”
