Facundo Pellistri has been hailed as a real “difference-maker” after his immediate impact off the bench in Manchester United’s 4-1 win at Old Trafford on Thursday.
England star Marcus Rashford opened the scoring for United before Leicester City loanee Ayoze Perez pulled back an equaliser for Real Betis before half-time.
Antony restored United’s lead in the second half before Bruno Fernandes put his side 3-1 up, with an emotional Wout Weghorst grabbing the Red Devils’ fourth of the night.
Pellistri came off the bench in the 82nd minute and replaced Antony, with the Uruguayan winger reminding fans of his tenacity and superb skills on the pitch.
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The 21-year-old United starlet confidently took on two Betis players before cutting the ball back from the byline and straight into the path of Scott McTominay.
McTominay’s effort was denied by former Manchester City shot-stopper Claudio Bravo, but Weghorst pounced on the parried effort and slotted the ball into the back of the net.
Pellistri’s second-half cameo wowed United fans, who have called on Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag to start him for the return leg in Spain on 16th March.
“This is what we need on the right side. Antony would have [held] the ball longer and [lost] possession in that first goal. Pellistri should start more, IMO,” one fan said.
Another added: “Can he play in the midfield? That burst of pace through the middle could be exciting.”
“Genuine difference-maker, looks much more impactful than [Jadon] Sancho. Club needs to be careful with who they let go,” a third Twitter user wrote.
Someone else commented: “He needs to start in the second leg. Top talent. Magician.”
And a fifth posted: “So direct down the right, none of this cut back, slows down the counter BS.”
READ MORE:
- Man United fans serenaded Wout Weghorst after he scored for first time at Old Trafford
- Antony blasted by fans for his 'criminal' decision to shoot when THREE of his Man United teammates were unmarked
- David de Gea’s distribution against Real Betis highlighted in fail comp, Man United fans are not impressed
Topics: Facundo Pellistri, Manchester United, Real Betis, Europa League, Football
Adnan Riaz