Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that he plans to send Facundo Pellistri this season, with the teenage Uruguayan likely to get more playing time elsewhere in the short term.
Pellistri impressed during the club’s opening match of the summer season and scored when a predominantly young United team beat Wayne Rooney’s Derby 2-1 at Pride Park.
The 19-year-old’s second half, which saw him calmly take the ball around Derby goalkeeper Kelle Roos after being torn in an empty net after being fed by Shola Shoretire, proved to be crucial.
Pellistri joined United from Uruguayan giants Penarol in October last year and initially spent time with the U23 squad, impressing at that level before moving to Spain with Alaves on loan during the second half of the season.
This @ FPellistri07 finish is ?????????? worth a look again? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/vmW2BaWJl5
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) 19 July 2021
He has not yet made a competitive first team appearance for the club but the plan is for the player to go out on loan again this season as a result of his interest in him.
“I can see a loan deal for him,” Solskjaer told ManUtd.com. “There has been a lot of interest and for his benefit, I also believe that a loan will be what we are looking for.”
On the player’s performance, the manager added: “I thought he was bright, of course he takes his goal really well. First touch, good pass from Shola, but good first touch makes him.
“I think he shows what he is, he is a difficult player to play against. One by one he can walk past people and I am very happy with him. ”
Pellistri is expected to spend the 2021/22 season on loan / Matthew Ashton – AMA / Getty Images
Even when United have once decided on a loan club for Pellistri, it does not necessarily mean that he will leave immediately and will probably end before the season before leaving. The same is already the case with Tahith Chong and Nathan Bishop, who have already agreed on loans to join Birmingham and Mansfield respectively, but are currently staying with United’s pre-season group.
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