Facundo Pellistri found the net as Manchester United opened up their pre-season with a 2-1 win at Derby.
The young Uruguayan winger, who signed 12 months ago before spending the second half of last season on loan at Spanish side Alaves, is now hoping to fight for a place at Old Trafford.
But United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to reject the 19-year-old’s desire and send him on loan again this term.
Pellistri, a £9million signing from Penarol in 2020, has yet to make his competitive first-team debut for the Red Devils.
He stepped from the bench at half-time at Pride Park on Sunday to add to Tahith Chong’s first-half goal, as United defeated Wayne Rooney’s Rams 2-1.
Now Pellistri is looking to use pre-season to force his way into Solskjaer’s plans despite United’s wealth of attacking options having been further strengthened by the arrival of England star Jadon Sancho.
Speaking post-game about a potential loan return to Alaves, Pellistri told MUTV: “As you said, I went on loan to Alaves, I felt good, now I’m here trying my best and always pushing forward to be the best.
“I would like to stay here but I’m still working hard, improving and will continue working.
“There is a lot of young talent, all the guys want to improve, the training is really hard and I’m very happy with that because young guys are trying their best and looking for a place in the first team.”
However, Pellistri’s biggest roadblock en route to United’s first-team - certainly in the near future - may well be his manager.
Solskjaer was keen at Pride Park to applaud the Uruguayan’s cameo, notably making clear he’d been impressed with his composure when finding the net.
But he was clear in his belief that it will be in Pellistri’s “best interests” to enjoy another temporary stint away from Manchester and get regular first-team action under his belt elsewhere.
“It was a very good goal, the first touch set him up and he’s very good at dribbling so going past the goalkeeper wasn’t a problem,” said Solskjaer.
“He was bright when he came on. I think he showed what he is because he’s a difficult player to play against.
“One against one he can go past people so very pleased with him.
“I can see a loan deal for him, there’s been loads of interest and for his best interests a loan would be what we look for.”
United have confirmed that "plenty of clubs" have been asking about the possibility of a move for the 2021-22 campaign.
Regardless, Pellistri is set to get another chance to stake his United claims when they meet QPR in their second pre-season outing this coming weekend, with another team trip something that he is looking forwards to.
"Being together in hotels is always very good - to chat with your friends, to be with your mates," he added.
"I think it's very positive this and we are looking forward to this week, it's going to be very hard."
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