Man Utd set to lose young star: ‘His departure is imminent’

Robin Bairner

• 2 Nov 2022 10:42 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United’s Facundo Pellistri is set to leave the club, the player’s agent, Edgardo Lasalvia, has confirmed.

Pellistri is considered to be one of the brightest prospects, having arrived from Penarol for €8.5 million in October 2020.

Despite his billing, though, the 20-year-old has failed to find game time at Old Trafford and has instead spent much of his time on loan at Alaves in Spain.

PROFILE: Who is Facundo Pellistri?

Consequently, his value has taken a battering. Having peaked at an estimated worth of €10.5m, FootballTransfers now rates the winger as a €3.1m player – with his value sharply declining. One reason for this is has total lack of first-team action. His only minutes this season came against Barrow in the EFL Trophy, although he has been a regular on the bench.

Pellistri, though, is set to depart Man Utd in January, with his agent admitting that a move is on the cards.

“I think that with a good World Cup, as we think he will have, his departure is imminent,” Lasalvia told ESPN.

MORE: How Sancho can save his Man Utd career

Despite his lack of playing time, Pellistri is expected to make the Uruguay squad for Qatar 2022, having already won seven caps for his nation. Indeed, he has been named in a 55-man provisional squad by head coach Diego Alonso and has featured in seven of his country’s last nine internationals, securing three assists in the process.

Uruguay have been handed a manageable draw in Group H for the competition, which includes South Korea, Portugal and Ghana.

Why Pellistri needs a move

A lack of playing time is clearly a huge obstacle to Pellistri’s development at Manchester United, so a move would make sense.

It may be that the Red Devils try to include a buy-back option in any deal given the potential he possesses, but his present position at the club means that unlocking his best form looks unlikely at Old Trafford in the current circumstances.