Last summer, Manchester United signed Facundo Pellistri on the final day of the transfer window.
Since 2013, the Uruguayan has been the first player signed directly from a South American team.
United have yet to witness what he is capable of. Pellistri was transferred on loan to Alaves after appearing seven times for the under-23s.
Pellistri's potential but largely ineffective loan spell with Alaves indicated that he is not yet ready for United's first squad and could benefit from another year on loan.
Alaves averted relegation from La Liga this season, and a return to the Spanish top flight remains a distinct possibility.
United will have to plan without Pellistri in the first team. He isn't quite ready yet.
He's largely out of sight and out of mind. While he isn't completely forgotten, he isn't seen as a first-team option for United in 2021-22.
And it's fortunate that United now has a plethora of talented wide players breaking through.
After an offer was turned down last week, Jadon Sancho is allegedly likely to join, with talks ongoing [BBC].
Sancho will join a team that includes Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, Amad, Anthony Elanga, and Dan James, all of whom can play in United's favored 4-2-3-1 system as wide players.
Pellistri isn't needed because United has so much talent. But, just in case, he's there as a backup plan.
What if United's scouting was accurate, and Pellistri went on to become one of the best young wingers of his generation?
The Uruguayan, who is only 19, has been bouncing around from Uruguay to England to Spain since early October. The lows ranged from an under-21 EFL Trophy match against Accrington Stanley to a La Liga match against Barcelona.
Pellistri is settling in and adjusting to his new life at United, where he has a contract until 2026.
Pellistri becomes another Zoran Tosic-like figure who seldom, if ever, plays for the first team and is eventually sold for a small profit. United will be no worse off as a result of their experiment.
Pellistri's best case scenario is that he develops into a top-tier winger, adding to United's growing stock of impact wide players.
It may take a few seasons and a few more loan moves, but an area that was formerly one of United's weakest may now be one of the club's strongest, with the team spoilt for options.
Imagine how much better Amad and Elanga could be in two seasons, adding to the progress of Rashford, Greenwood, and, ideally, Sancho. Then toss in a Pellistri who is ready for the first team.
The components are in place for a United team that has the potential to be one of the most exciting offensive teams to watch in the coming seasons. If Pellistri is able to contribute, that will be a major plus.
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