There are still plenty of variables to figure out before Manchester United begin their summer rebuild, but one apparent certainty is that Facundo Pellistri will join back up with his team-mates for pre-season.
Uruguayan winger Pellistri, 22, began the season with Erik ten Hag’s squad and featured in the Premier League opener against Wolves. He made 14 appearances in the first half of the season, 11 of them from the bench, but joined Granada on loan after becoming dissatisfied with his lack of minutes at Old Trafford.
He has scored twice in 10 appearances in La Liga, in a 3-3 draw with Barcelona and a 3-0 victory over Osasuna in the most recent round of fixtures. It has not been enough to save Granada from the drop, though, and relegation looks all but certain with a 10-point gap to safety and only five matches remaining.
Pellistri is under contract at Old Trafford until 2025, and remains in contact with his parent club. Granada’s anticipated relegation could limit his options for a permanent exit, and United fans can expect him back in England as he weighs up his options.
“I talk constantly with Manchester United,” Pellistri told Sport890 (via United in Focus) after the weekend victory over Osasuna. “After each game we exchange (messages).
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do after La Liga ends. What I am clear about is that I’m going to have to do the pre-season with Manchester.”
While United’s plans have yet to be firmed up, part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is said to be open to selling almost any member of the squad for the right price. The only exceptions are said to be Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund.
Pellistri joined United from Penarol in a £7.65million deal back in 2020, with the Uruguayan club being denied a request to take him back on loan. It wasn’t until January 2023 that he made his senior debut for the English outfit, though, after two loan spells in Spain with Alaves.
Back in January, the South American’s agent Edgardo Lasalvia suggested it would be tough for Pellistri to remain at Old Trafford if Erik ten Hag remained in the dugout. “Ten Hag hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional,” Lasalvia said.
Speaking to AUF TV (via ESPN) in March, Pellistri had mixed emotions about his time in Granada. “I’m getting a lot of minutes in Granada. I’m happy about that part, but sad about how the level of the group is going, we all want to achieve the objective the objective, there are still chances: as long as those chances are there, we’re going to keep fighting.” he said.
