Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag confirms Facundo Pellistri injury blow

12.08.2022 - 17:49 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that winger Facundo Pellistri will be sidelined until at least September because of an ankle injury.

The youngster, who has ambitions of being included in the Uruguay squad for the World Cup later this year, was forced off in the closing stages of United's 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in their penultimate pre-season friendly almost a fortnight ago. He had stepped off the bench earlier in the contest to replace Anthony Elanga.

Pellistri, who joined the Reds in October 2020 from Club Atletico Penarol, had travelled with the rest of the squad to Thailand and Australia for the pre-season tour earlier in the summer and scored in the 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok. The youngster had caught Ten Hag's eye during the first few weeks of pre-season and looked sharp.

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However, the injury he suffered against Atletico means that he faces a spell on the sidelines, with Ten Hag confirming that he will miss the remainder of the opening month of the season.

"Yes, I think so, because he's injured," Ten Hag told club media. "The prognosis is that he will not return before September."

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Spanish side Alaves and struggled for regular opportunities, meaning it proved to be a frustrating campaign for him. However, despite the ankle injury he is currently nursing, it remains possible that he could still head out on loan this summer, should Ten Hag decide that another temporary departure would aid his development.

Despite United's need for attacking reinforcements, there is already plenty of competition for places in the wide areas. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford