Pellistri: My debut was a night to remember

Despite only featuring in the last 10 minutes, the young Uruguayan provided an assist for Marcus Rashford as the Reds went on to win 3-0, progressing to the semi-final stage. 

In a recent interview, which features in our matchday programme United Review for the Premier League clash with Leicester on Sunday, Facundo reflects on a night he considers to be "perfect."

“It was incredible, because I had been looking forward to that moment for a long time," he said. “I was the one who enjoyed being on the pitch and wearing the Manchester United shirt and luckily there were 10 minutes more or less and I could touch the ball a lot and make that assist for Rashford. 

“So it was a very good moment, perfect, and it is a night I’m going to remember. Every time I train, every time I play a game I will remember that night because it was incredible.” 

Pellistri is one of a handful of our young players who are earning first-team opportunities under Erik ten Hag, with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo also in and around our senior set-up. 

“It’s incredible [to be managed by Ten Hag]," added the 21-year-old. "He has a very good mentality. In the first days he arrived here, he was very clear with his ideas and I think we are looking [like we understand his ideas] on the pitch every match.

“He has the clear idea, he is telling you all the time things you have to improve and I think that’s the way we can get to the top.

“The training is good, the mentality is good and I think the manager and all the staff are here to make things better and hopefully it continues like this.”

As well as his club debut against Charlton, Pellistri made his first Premier League appearance for the Reds against Leeds earlier this month, as United drew 2-2 with the Yorkshire side. 

He could once again be involved against Leicester on Sunday, but regardless of the occasion, the Uruguay international insists his primary aim is to aid United's chances of earning three points.

“To be in a position to make my [league] debut was incredible but what I was more focused on was helping the team in that game," he explained. “Of course, at the end it was a draw [against Leeds]: not such a good result, but the way we drew was good.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW 

If you’d like to read the full interview with Pellistri, our matchday programme for the Leicester clash is now on sale here. 

Alternatively, you can purchase the programme at Old Trafford on Sunday for £3.50, ahead of kick-off. 

In addition, you can also purchase our exclusive magazine Inside United on matchdays too, and at a special discounted price if you buy it alongside the matchday programme – ask for the ‘double deal’ (£7).