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One of the biggest challenges for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag in his sophomore managerial campaign in England was finding a solution to the right-wing woes.
Quite early on in the campaign, the Dutchman had a falling out with Jadon Sancho after he called out the England international for his below-par training displays.
The former Manchester City academy graduate was not one to take things lying down and retaliated via a social media statement while his camp insinuated that the manager handed out preferential treatment to Antony.
Speaking of the Brazilian, off-field controversies hindered his form and with only three goals this season, the former Ajax star is already staring at an early exit from the club who decided to pay a whopping €95 million for his services.
Pellistri’s difficult United stint
The Dutch manager turned to Facundo Pellistri, who has consistently shone for his national side. However, when starting games, the Uruguayan always looked like a raw talent in need of further nurturing.
With United crashing out of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, minutes were hard to come by and the manager decided to send plenty of his young talents out on loan.
Pellistri ended up moving to relegation-threatened Granada, where he began with a bang with a goal and assist against heavyweights Barcelona.
The 22-year-old also scored in his team’s most recent win against Osasuna and he now has two goals and as many assists for his loan outfit.
The player’s agent has revealed in the past that if Ten Hag remains as manager, Pellistri would end up leaving and the club are also open to that proposal.
There have been offers from Europe as well as South America for the winger but the player, in an interview with Uruguayan radio station Sport 890, revealed that his parent club have been in touch and he has been informed that he will have to return to Manchester for pre-season.
“I talk constantly with Manchester United. 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.”
Summer exit likely
The former Penarol star admitted that donning the famed red jersey has been a surreal experience but he needs more minutes moving forward and an exit is likely.
“The whole time I was in Manchester was incredible. The experiences I had, I shared with the best players in the world and I was able to play many important games. Today, I am in a stage of looking for more minutes, I am very happy with the opportunity.
“Although I had minutes at Manchester United, it was not the amount I would like given the football moment I was in. I am very happy for the minutes I played here (in Spain). A player always wants to play. Many times one does not put oneself into the manager’s decisions, who has to think about many more things.”
With Alejandro Garnacho shining out on the right wing and with Amad Diallo starting to impress and with Omari Forson coming up, there is hardly any room for the Uruguay international.
Ever since his €8.50 million move back in 2020, Pellistri has found chances hard to come by, with the winger managing only 24 appearances in 4 years with only four of them coming from the start.
Pellistri’s deal ends in 2025 and most likely, he will be sold for a decent profit in the upcoming summer window.
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