Facundo Pellistri is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Manchester United squad at the moment, and he did his fast-rising reputation no harm with his goal in the club’s pre-season outing against Derby County.
The young Uruguayan scored the eventual match-winner as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United side came out on top against former player Wayne Rooney’s Derby side, and earned a lot of plaudits on social media with what was a very well-taken and composed finish.
United were already a goal up courtesy of a Tahith Chong strike in the first half, and Facundo Pellistri replaced Juan Mata as one of the many halftime changes made by the Norwegian head coach.
It was an alteration that worked for United, as Pellistri stamped his authority on the match in the 57th minute to send them two goals to the good. United were handed a turnover in the attacking third and Shola Shoretire made full use of it to send young Pellistri through on goal.
Once in front of goal and face to face with Derby goalkeeper Richard Stearman, Pellistri kept his composure to round him and tap the ball home into an empty net. The young Steadman was left embarrassed as Pellistri sat him down before scoring from five yards out, and United were 2-0 up.
Even though Derby went on to pull a goal back through Colin Kazim-Richards, it was not enough to salvage anything from the pre-season friendly as United emerged on top – courtesy of a brilliantly taken finish by their highly-rated 19-year-old who might have well established his claim to stay in the Manchester United squad for the upcoming season of the Premier League.
