'Give this kid a chance, not move away...'

UNITED should be strengthening their attacking options with the time they've got left in the transfer window, not weakening them further.

- DANIEL MURPHY

Facundo Pellistri has hardly had a proper chance since he joined the Reds three years ago now but that's not on him. Whenever he has been given minutes he has always shown positives.

Whether it be a nice piece of skill, a dangerous cross into the box or just his refreshing directness in attack off the bench or goals and really bright showings whenever he has started in pre-season, Pellistri has repeatedly shown promise but not been given the opportunity to truly realise it.

The 21-year-old has made just 12 competitive appearances for the Reds, averaging 12.3 minutes per game. That is nowhere near enough time to really gauge how good a player can be and it's becoming baffling how he hasn't been given more chances. Alejandro Garnacho is clearly the brighter talent but he has yet to make the same impact he does off the bench when starting games but continues to get them.

This isn't to slate Garnacho who is a very exciting player but to wonder why all the opportunities have been afforded to him. What harm could giving Pellistri a Premier League start do? It's not as if he would be breaking up an attack firing on all cylinders.

The Reds have misfired like a cheap firework at the start of the new season. Their only goal so far was created by a defender and scored by one. The forward line has consisted of Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony for both games but it has been flat and uninspiring.