Last month, Manchester United wanted Facundo Pellistri to quit.

Just a few weeks after the young player was encouraged to leave the club due to a lack of first-team opportunities, Erik ten Hag has included Facundo Pellistri in the Manchester United squad for Thursday evening's Europa League match against Omonia Nicosia. The match will take place in Cyprus.

Pellistri, then 20 years old, was purchased from Penarol in a deal worth £10 million by Ten Hag's predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, back in 2020. The deal came about as a result of a recommendation made by the Norwegian's former strike partner, Diego Forlan.

However, since making the switch to Old Trafford, Pellistri has had a difficult time making an impact in the senior ranks of the club. Although the Uruguayan star performed admirably and scored a goal in United's resounding 4-0 win over Liverpool during their pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand, he has not been given any genuine opportunities to play for the first team despite his performance in that match.

Pellistri was then warned by Gus Poyet, a former star for Chelsea and Uruguay, that he would not be given a chance to play a prominent role in the team now that Ten Hag has replaced the man who brought him to Old Trafford as the manager of Manchester United. Poyet is 54 years old.

But Ten Hag has now given the clearest indication yet that Pellistri is still in his plans by including the youngster in the squad that has traveled over to Cyprus to face Nicosia. Pellistri's inclusion in the squad is the clearest indication Ten Hag has yet given that Pellistri is still in his plans.

And while it is unclear whether or not Pellistri will be given an opportunity to stake a claim with significant minutes against Neil Lennon's side, his inclusion in the squad is a welcome boost as he seeks to clinch an unlikely World Cup spot after breaking into the national team set-up. Pellistri's inclusion in the squad is a welcome boost as he seeks to clinch an unlikely World Cup spot after breaking into the national team set-up.

Pellistri made Uruguay's World Cup roster.

Pellistri stated earlier this week that even he was surprised by the breakthrough he had with Uruguay, which he said took even him by surprise. He shared his thoughts on the matter with ESPN, saying, "If a year ago they told me that I was going to have this present on the National Team, certainly I would not believe it, things move very quickly, and sometimes life surprises you with many things."

"You always fantasize about competing in the World Cup, but I tell everyone that they must take things one step at a time and that they should not worry about competing in the World Cup just yet because there is still time.

However, he is aware that his chances of being selected for the team that goes to Qatar the following month will be heavily dependent on whether or not he is able to establish himself as a regular part of Ten Hag's game plan between now and the mid-season break.

Pellistri, who had been sidelined with an ankle injury until recently, added: "I am happy to play again, and now Manchester will have a string of important games, so I also hope to get minutes at the club." Pellistri had been sidelined with the injury until recently. I really want to start contributing to the team now that Erik ten Hag is coaching it because he is an excellent coach with a very focused vision."