Sending Facundo Pellistri on loan to a side near the basement of the Spanish League table not known for scoring goals was always a questionable choice.

After his debut for Granada, that question is a step closer to turning into a bonafide fact.

Pellistri made his first start for his new team and played 63 minutes against Las Palmas, spending the majority of those minutes effectively playing as a right-back.

Primarily tasked with defensive duties against a side 10 places higher in the league, the Manchester United loanee, did well as his side ground out a 1-1 draw with Las Palmas.

In a remarkable stat, he was able to complete just seven passes in 63 minutes but has 9/13 duels won

Considering he had 30 touches of the ball, the whole game was effectively an exercise of “receive ball, lose ball” for the Uruguayan.

He ceded possession a record 11 times and attempted just 2 dribbles, out of which one was successful.

Las Palmas, who are by no means a giant in La Liga, ended the game with more than 70% possession.

It is hardly a good training ground for a developing winger who needs to hone the attacking side of the game.

Pellistri did manage 5 tackles but if that is the area of the game Erik ten Hag and the club wanted him to focus on, then he plays in the wrong position.

Overall, it was a scrappy game for Pellistri, whose effort and commitment could not be faulted but the team is just not set up for attackers to succeed.

There could be mitigating circumstances as his team was down to 10 men on the 20th-minute mark after Kamil Piatkowski’s red card.

But from the moment he was substituted off the field, it appeared to be another careless loan that would be detrimental to the player’s growth and market value.

When Granada goes on the road to play Barcelona on February 11, things won’t get any easier for Pellistri.

At this rate, seven passes completed in 63 minutes might look like a luxury after that game.

Loaning an exciting winger to Granada seems quite illogical from United given they are in the relegation zone and therefore he won’t get much opportunity to thrive.

On the one hand, you can understand it as it guarantees Pellistri game time but surely he could’ve been loaned to a more possession-orientated side.

Pellistri was starting for United earlier in the season, so it’s odd that he was shipped to a struggling team, especially considering that he would have undoubtedly been signed by a top Championship team.

We will therefore need to keep that in mind if he finds it difficult to perform well here, but we anticipate that after a string of games, he will demonstrate his talent, which is evident.