‘Open for loans’ – Ten Hag says he’s already given a ‘signal’ over one Man Utd player’s future
Erik ten Hag insists Facundo Pellistri’s appearance for Man Utd on Wednesday was a “signal” that he won’t be going anywhere in January.
The Uruguay international came off the bench with 19 minutes to go in the Red Devils’ 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
And when asked whether Pellistri or any other players could be loaned out before the transfer deadline next week, Ten Hag told reporters (via the Manchester Evening News): “We have our ideas, for some players we are open for loans but with some players they are not, they have to develop first in our environment, second, we have many games to cover, and we need players to cover that, when you play 30 games in 10 days you need a lot of players.
“The way we put on the Wednesday, Pellistri, is already a signal.”
Man Utd play Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday with the Red Devils favourites to beat Paul Ince’s side, who are 14th in the Championship.
On the tie, Ten Hag added:”(Favourites) But that’s on paper, football is never decided on paper, we have to be ready for every game, every opponent will be tough, especially in the cup for them, it’s a perfect chance, we have to be aware of that, be on the front foot, focused and energy.
“We want to win every game, so we plan every game fully and the next game is also the most important game.”
On team news ahead of the fixture with Reading, the Man Utd boss continued: “[Diogo] Dalot definitely out and [Luke] Shaw a question mark. We have to see after training.
“I think Aaron [Wan-Bissaka] and Tyrell [Malacia] play magnificent in this moment, on Wednesday they were really brilliant, the whole back four was really brilliant.
“In the back four we have really adapted the squad, that’s what you need with 10 games in 30 days.”
Jadon Sancho has been missing since October for Man Utd and Ten Hag has issued an update on his progress towards a first-team return.
Ten Hag said: “He is training with the team, and we will see, so he’s improving, he’s making steps, and we will make the decision after training.
“I said he’s on the way back, he’s making steps, he’s back in team training, and we have to see when he’s ready to go back into games.”
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