Facundo Pellistri and Teden Mengi are with the Man United first-team squad for the game against Istanbul Basaksehir later.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has always practiced what he preaches. Giving youth an opportunity has been atop his mantras and beliefs ever since he was named Manchester United manager.
From Brandon Williams to Mason Greenwood, from Scott McTominay to Marcus Rashford, the Baby Faced Assassin has always been willing to give youngsters their opportunities when warranted.
Tonight’s UEFA Champions League game against Istanbul Basaksehir is not only a mission for revenge, but a chance to rotate the squad in order to keep the senior players fit.
The Manchester Evening News’ Dominic Booth has given us all an early insight into team news, with Donny van de Beek and Dean Henderson ‘likely’ to start.
What I find even more interesting is that the talented United duo of Facundo Pellistri and Teden Mengi are both with the squad for the game too. Neither have made their full debuts yet, while there’s a very real chance one (or both) could be involved this evening.
Check out Dominic Booth’s team news tweet here:
Let’s start with Mengi, who probably has a better chance at being involved. The centre-half has been in and around the squad for far longer, while already playing from off the substitutes bench for the Red Devils.
With Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly all sidelined and Victor Lindelof still nursing a back issue, this could be the ideal moment to see what Mengi can do.
As for Pellistri, he only joined in the summer and I’d expect United to gradually ease him into things. Not only that, he played for the U23s just a couple of days ago. He did impress in that game, mind!
If we’re to see a debut for Pellistri, you’d imagine it would be as a second-half substitute. It would be intriguing to see him come on though!
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