Edinson Cavani will leave Manchester United this summer once his contract expires after an underwhelming second season at the club.
The Uruguayan penned a contract extension last term but is now free to explore his options after a season that saw minutes hard to come by. Cavani, who scored 17 times in his debut season with the Red Devils, only started seven Premier League games last term as he played second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo.
That said, his lack of minutes at club level haven't harmed him on the international scene. Despite being 35, Cavani remains a class act and he scored twice in Uruguay's 3-0 win over Mexico. One of the forward's goals was laid on by Facundo Pellistri, a young prospect on the red half of Manchester.
United fans were given a glimpse into the combination that could've existed had Cavani been given more chances and Pellistri not sent out on loan to Spain. The youngster ran down the right wing before cutting the ball back for the veteran forward to convert first time.
Both men were signed during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure but will not team up at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag. Cavani was close to the exit door in his first season, before eventually committing a u-turn and staying for a further year. Pellistri meanwhile has spent a second straight season at Alaves.
Uruguay boss Diego Alonso said on his decision to pick the 20-year-old: “I thought that the characteristics that Pellistri has could help us a lot with the game that we want to implement. From there, I told him what I wanted from him, what I did value in him and then the one who gave the rest was him.
“He came here when he was 20 years old, he put on the starting shirt of the senior team and he played the way he played… That speaks much better about him than about me.” Pellistri is one of several young stars signed in recent years who will soon find out if they are part of Erik ten Hag's plans.
The Dutchman has recently taken charge in Manchester and is in the process of assessing his squad. Big changes are expected with several prospects hoping they will feature going forward. Pellistri was sent out on loan to aid his development, as was Amad, who joined Rangers in January.
Hannibal Mejbri is another who is highly thought of and made a lasting impression when given minutes towards the end of last season. James Garner, who headed to Nottingham Forest, will also be hoping for opportunities under Ten Hag.
