Erik ten Hag ‘sees a future’ in Man Utd starlet Facundo Pellistri and remains coy on Wout Weghorst rumours

Erik ten Hag was speaking after Man Utd advanced in the EFL Cup (Picture: MUTV)

Erik ten Hag insisted he ‘sees a future’ in Facundo Pellistri after Manchester United’s advanced to the EFL Cup semi-finals at the expense of Charlton.

Antony’s first-half goal and Marcus Rashford’s late brace helped Premier League giants United clinch a 3-0 win over League One side Charlton at Old Trafford.

Pellistri, who featured for Uruguay at the Qatar World Cup, made a late cameo in the cup victory and provided the assist for Rashford’s first goal.

United signed Pellistri from Uruguayan club Penarol in 2020 but the 21-year-old was making his Red Devils debut against the Addicks, having spent the majority of the last two years at Spanish outfit Alaves.

Pellistri has been linked with another loan move this month but Ten Hag has suggested he could keep the highly-rated youngster at Old Trafford and rely on him during the second-half of the season.

‘I see a future in [Pellistri],’ said Ten Hag. ‘He is doing really well, we will have to see what is best for him but he is progressing.

‘Also against Everton [in last month’s friendly], I was really happy with his performance. I was happy with his performance in the World Cup.

Ten Hag heaped praise Facundo Pellistri after his United debut (Picture: Getty)

‘He is coming on and having an effect, that is the next step. I have to say well done to him and keep going.’

In a separate interview, Ten Hag said: ‘I mentioned already Pellistri came on and it was a debut. It was not long but he was really lively, some good actions and also the assist on the second goal.’

While Ten Hag was full of praise for Pellistri, he remained coy about Manchester United’s move for Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst.

Manchester United want to sign Wout Weghorst (Picture: Getty)

United are expected to sign Weghorst on loan from Championship side Burnley, with the 30-year-old currently on a temporary deal at Besiktas.

Asked if he could provide an update on Manchester United’s move for Weghorst, Ten Hag said: ‘No, unfortunately, I can’t.’

United’s victory over Charlton put the club one step closer to a first trophy since 2017, with the EFL Cup semi-final draw set to be made on Wednesday night.

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Ten Hag, who has now won 20 of his 27 games in charge of Manchester United, added: ‘I said before the game, “no ifs, buts or maybes”, we have to be in that semi-final and we did the job.

‘The only thing I wasn’t happy with was that we should have finished earlier by finding that key pass. I don’t think we offered them too much and if we did then Tom Heaton was there.

‘I think we should have finished it earlier on but the objective was to reach the semi so compliments to the team.’

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