Facundo Pellistri has admitted he may not be part of Erik ten Hag’s plans at Manchester United next season, and could have to look elsewhere during the summer.
The 20-year-old has spent the last 18 months away from Old Trafford on loan with Spanish side Alaves, but has struggled to make an impact. Of the 23 appearances he has made this season, only six have been starts, and he is yet to record a goal or assist in the 35 games he’s played since first joining the club in January 2021.
Despite Alaves’ struggles in La Liga – they are rooted to the bottom of the table and six points from safety with just five games remaining – Pellistri has been unable to tie down a regular place in the side. His last start came back in December, with the Uruguay international making 16 appearances from the bench since.
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The young winger is set to return to United during the summer, by which time Ten Hag will be in place as the club’s new manager. The current Ajax boss is set to take over at the end of the current season, having been officially announced last week.
Pellistri, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2025, is aiming to catch the new United boss’ eye when he returns to England during the summer. The 20-year-old though has already conceded he may have to start looking elsewhere.
“Always the best thing and the dream is to play for Manchester United, but today the priority is to have minutes and if it’s not at Manchester, we have to find another team,” Pellistri told ESPN South America.
“I saw that Erik ten Hag will be the new coach, when I have to go to Manchester for the preseason I will try to do my best. They watch my games. Once my loan ends, I will talk to them right away to see what they think of me for next season, what plans they have for me, what teams they recommend for the future.”
On his spell with Alaves, Pellistri added: “Over time you realize the improvements, you feel those changes and you start feeling stronger, more powerful, that you mark better or that you attack spaces better. La Liga forces you to learn all that because if you don’t learn that you won’t be able to survive.”
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