Manchester United forgotten forward might be set for unlikely lifeline

There has been a real sense of consistency for Manchester United in the last few weeks. They have won five of their last six matches, and Erik ten Hag has found a favoured starting line-up, though it has had to be adapted amid a recent striker shortage.

In two weeks' time, United will return to action against Man City and there is already a relatively straightforward squad selection to make should his stars return from international duty unscathed.

It is refreshing that United seem to have already found a system and the right personnel so early on in the season, but the obvious downside is that this won’t be able to last much longer given the packed fixture schedule that awaits them on their return.

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United will play nine matches next month, meaning two outings a week, with a four-day gap between games being the longest time off they will get during that period. Ten Hag might be well aware of his preferred line-up, but he won’t be able to use it every time, so those on the periphery will have a wider role to play.

Facundo Pellistri could be one of those to benefit, with the packed fixture schedule potentially offering him a lifeline two years after he signed for the club.

The 20-year-old has yet to make a competitive senior appearance since he signed from Penarol for £9million on deadline day back in 2020, as United accelerated plans to sign him following their failure to go and get Jadon Sancho.

A year later, though, they would get their man, and Pellistri has fallen victim to United’s lack of long-term planning, so much so that they went and bought another right winger this summer too. Antony arrived from Ajax for £85m, taking their spending to £186m on four right