Erik ten Hag has indicated that Facundo Pellistri’s inclusion as a substitute during Manchester United’s Carabao Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest suggests that he will not be leaving United in this transfer window.
There had been speculation that Pellistri would be leaving United this month on loan to gain first team minutes and experience, however, the United manager has been impressed by the Uruguayan’s performances in recent weeks, and ten Hag hinted that he could feature against Reading in the fourth-round of the FA Cup tomorrow night at Old Trafford.
Jumping into the weekend! š¦#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/M6TDujrdzz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 27, 2023
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of United’s FA Cup fourth round clash at home to Reading tomorrow night, the Dutchman said to reporters: “We have our ideas and for some players we are open for loans but some players we are not. The way we put [players] on, on Wednesday, Pellistri, that’s already a signal” [via Man Utd].
š¤ļø Carrington š#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/K74FW3QTTK
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 27, 2023
It is a sensible decision from United’s perspective to keep Pellistri in the squad because he will get his opportunities as United have a lot of games to navigate in the coming weeks, so ten Hag needs as many options as possible, and this is something that ten Hag referred to when speaking to the media ahead of the meeting with the Royals.
“I think they have to develop first in our environment and second, we have many games to cover, and so we need players to cover that. When you play in 30 days 10 games, you need a lot of players” [via Man Utd].
The fourth-round FA Cup match between United and Reading kicks off at 8pm UK time tomorrow evening, and for those in the UK, the match will be shown live on ITV Sport and it is an important game for United as they look to continue their quest of lifting silverware at the end of the season.
Back to Old Trafford, back to the #FACup! š#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 27, 2023