Alaves are growing concerned about the situation regarding Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri as his loan spell is yet to take off.
The youngster returned to the Spanish side in the summer after a successful loan spell last season in which he established himself as key player for the side.
Manchester United elected to allow him to return as he wasn’t a part of their plans for this season, and it would be more beneficial for him to be with Alaves and getting regular game time there.
Except, that’s yet to really happen, according to Noticias de Álava, who say Pellistri has ‘not yet made himself useful’ for the Spanish side.
They explain that Alaves were keen to bring him back this season after he showed several signs of quality last season, while he is also a youngster who they consider ‘promising’.
However, despite a ‘fairly positive’ pre-season with Manchester United, Pellistri has not managed to ‘be of use’ for the Albiazules.
This has not been due to a lack of opportunities, with manager Javi Calleja giving him time against Valencia and Osasuna.
Indeed he was a starter at the Mestalla but didn’t manage to beat his man on the wing once, which was what he was in the team for, making him ‘inconsequential’.
The same thing happened against Osasuna when he came off the bench but was ‘unable to offer the spark’ that they needed in the game.
Such is his lack of impact, he has now been replaced by Miguel de la Fuente, and that situation could be ‘even more complicated’ after the international break when Edgar Méndez is expected to return to the squad.
He’s always had a leading role under Calleja, and that is likely to continue, meaning Pellistri could find himself behind two players in the pecking order.
That’s a big worry for Manchester United, who may end up wanting to take a look at the situation in January if it doesn’t improve in the coming months.
