Diego Forlan conversation could help Erik ten Hag solve growing Man Utd problem

Erik ten Hag is facing a selection headache ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Brighton on Saturday, but the Red Devils boss could turn to former star Diego Forlan for inspiration

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Erik ten Hag may not have to look far to find a solution to Manchester United’s problem with wingers.

Jadon Sancho’s spat with the Dutchman means the Englishman is unlikely to return any time soon, while Antony has delayed his return to Old Trafford as he deals with off-field accusations. With the transfer window closed, Ten Hag will have to look internally for more options.

While Alejandro Garnacho is likely to step into the starting XI, providing competition for the Argentine could be Facundo Pellistri. While he has made just two substitute appearances this season for United, the 21-year-old has become a key player for Uruguay.

Pellistri also has a vocal backer in former United star Diego Forlan, who was his manager at Penarol. When the winger moved to Old Trafford, Forlan revealed he had spoken to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United boss who bought the younsgter.

“He asked me lots of questions about Facundo and I gave him lots of answers. He’s very quick and goes past players easily. He was doing that even when it was not a good moment for the team,” Forland told the South China Morning Post at the time.

“He likes receiving the ball in midfield and moving forward with it. Even though he was young, I put him in my team every week. He can play on the right but also the left. He’s two-footed like I was and he tries to dribble like Ryan Giggs.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Facundo Pellistri be handed a start against Brighton? Comment below.

Facundo Pellistri has struggled for chances since joining Manchester United (

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Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

“I told Ole he has a lot of potential, but he has to keep developing. He works hard, he trains hard, he’s professional. He has many attributes and I explained these to Ole. I told Facundo that Manchester is a good place because they don’t hurry players.”

Pellistri spent the first 18 months of his United career out on loan with LaLiga side Alaves. His first period with the Spanish side came in the second half of the 2020/2021 season, though he failed to claim a goal or an assist in his 12 appearances.

Los Blanquiazules took him back for the full season the following year, but he again failed to make much of an impact. Pellistri also fell out of favour towards the end of that campaign, appearing just five times in LaLiga after New Year’s Day in 2022.

Pellistri has impressed for Uruguay though and could now be handed a chance by Erik ten Hag (

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PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images)

Ten Hag opted to keep him at Old Trafford last season and he appeared sporadically for the Red Devils. The highlight of his year likely came in March during his cameo against Real Betis, with a performance that delighted the United boss.

“He is the example by deserving his position by performance on the training [ground. And I said the other day, I did not select him for Liverpool and it was not even totally justified because he was training that well,” Ten Hag said.

“Now this was his moment to come on because of a longer period he performed in training. What impressed me was he came on and, straight [away], showed himself. When they came on, Scott [McTominay] and Pelli, it was 3-1 but 4-1 is huge, to make the extra goal.”

While this season has been another difficult one for Pellistri at club level, he has enjoyed more success at international level. He was handed a start by new Uruguay boss Marcelo Bielsa in a 3-1 win over Chile on Saturday and is clearly enjoying life under the Argentine.

“He is a coach who really likes to talk individually, he makes it very clear to us what he wants. He shows us the mistakes we have and helps us see things, because many times one does not stop to think about those details,” Pellistri said of Bielsa.

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“He shows me well where I should pass. He also tells me about the importance of knowing how to attack spaces without the ball and having the dynamics to look for the backs of rival defenders.”

Pellistri is set to feature in Uruguay’s second World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Tuesday night. That game could give him the chance to show Ten Hag that he deserves the opportunity to help solve United’s crisis out wide.

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