Scholes and Hargreaves tell Ten Hag to start Man United ace after brilliant cameo against Real Betis

Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves have called for Manchester United forward Facundo Pellistri to been given more game time by Erik ten Hag after he made an eye-catching impact off the bench against Real Betis on Thursday. 

Pellistri has not made a single start for United this term, but was brought on in the 81st minute at Old Trafford to replace Antony with the Red Devils searching for a fourth goal.

They duly got it two minutes after his arrival, with the Uruguayan playing his part in the goal before Wout Weghorst applied the finishing touch.

Scholes was impressed by Pellistri, and thinks he should now be in contention to start more games.

‘He’s made a case for himself tonight (to start more),’ Scholes told BT Sport following United’s 4-1 win.

Facundo Pellistri (left) made an instant impact off the bench against Real Betis

‘He looked so quick on the right. Straight turn, goes around, beats the defender with pace and sets the big man up for the goal.’

Hargreaves agreed with Scholes’ assessment and believes Pellistri offers something different to United’s other wide options. 

‘I don’t know (he hasn’t played more),’ Hargreaves said.

‘I was amazed how quick he was. Lots of the guys, like Jadon (Sancho) and Antony want to slow down and dribble. He didn’t want any bit of that.

‘He wanted to go on the outside, old school, sprint past people. It’s a brilliant cameo. United fans would love to see more of him.’

Scholes and Hargeaves could get their wish with United now in full control of their last-16 tie ahead of next week’s return leg in Spain.

Ten Hag could view that fixture as the perfect time to play Pellistri once more to give him another chance to prove that he belongs at the highest level.