Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri must start the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on Sunday following his impressive full debut in midweek.
The Uruguay international made his maiden start for the club in the 1-0 win over Real Betis in the Europa League. He played the full 90 minutes in Seville.
Pellistri had 53 touches with a pass accuracy of 81 per cent. He won an impressive six ground duels while completing three of his four take-ons attempted.
Following the game, manager Erik ten Hag was ‘very pleased‘ with his overall performance and in our view, he must start with Antony being doubtful.
Antony missed the midweek trip to Andalusia with an illness and the manager has acknowledged that he needs to be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s tie.
It is most likely that he could start on the bench unless he is 100 per cent fit and Pellistri deserves to retain his place on the right wing against Fulham.
Jadon Sancho is obviously the senior option that Ten Hag could rely for the position, but he has barely impressed from the role since moving to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Marco Silva’s side could play with a low defensive block against United on the back of the 3-0 league rout by Arsenal at Craven Cottage last weekend.
The west London outfit played the game into the Gunners’ favour with an open free-flowing contest and Silva could go with a more defensive-minded approach.
Pellistri has already shown that he is good with controlling possession in tight spaces. The 21-year-old would fare better than Sancho or Anthony Elanga on the right flank.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com and Sofascore.com
