Forlan explains why Pellistri has shades of Giggs, as winger tipped to stun

Diego Forlan

Diego Forlan says new Facundo Pellistri plays in a similar style to Ryan Giggs and feels the new Manchester United winger can impress at Old Trafford.

Pellistri, 18, signed for the Red Devils in the recent transfer window from Uruguay-based club Atletico Penarol.

The Uruguayan harboured a strong reputation in his home country as one of his nation’s most promising talents.

Indeed, former Penarol coach Forlan has revealed that he had a telling influence in helping United make their move.

The former United forward says he spoke to former colleague, and current Red Devils boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“He (Solskjaer) asked me lots of questions about Facundo and I gave him lots of answers,” Forlan told the South China Morning Post.

“There was a lot of interest in the player and I could understand why. He’s very quick and goes past players easily.

“He was doing that even when it was not a good moment for the team.

 

 

“He likes receiving the ball in midfield and moving forward with it. Even though he was young, I put him in my team every week. He can play on the right but also the left.

“He’s two-footed like I was and he tries to dribble like Ryan Giggs.”

Solskjaer insisted in Friday’s press conference that Pellistri would be a star for the future. At only 18, the manager feels he must develop and earn his place in the United ranks.

Forlan said he shares that viewpoint, adding that Manchester will be a good place for the winger to settle in.


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‘Shy’ Pellistri needs more time

Facundo Pellistri

“I told Ole he has a lot of potential, but he has to keep developing,” Forlan said.

“I told Facundo many times: ‘There are not players like you in Uruguay, but if you go to Europe, which attracts the best in the world, there will be many others who are very fast – and stronger than you too. You have potential but it depends on you to improve.’

“Facundo is shy. He works hard, he trains hard, he’s professional, he speaks English and he went to a good private school. He has many attributes and I explained these to Ole.

“But fans have to be patient because he’s 18 years old and has much hard work ahead of him. He’s at the start of his career.

“He needs to understand that he has done nothing yet and that he’s not a star. He’s arriving at a big club and he’s done well to get to that point, but I’ve been there. It’s hard. You need dedication, lots of hard work and some luck too.

“I told Facundo that Manchester is a good place because they don’t hurry players. They don’t rush; they will wait for him to improve. It’s a good city to be a professional too, a football city where the fans are respectful and supportive.”

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