Manchester United expecting Facundo Pellistri to leave on loan

Facundo Pellistri is set to head out on loan for the third time since he joined Man United in 2020.

Manchester United expect Facundo Pellistri to join Granada on loan for the remainder of the season.

Pellistri, 22, was due to head out on loan in the summer but ended up staying at United after fellow right-sided forward Amad sustained a knee injury in the pre-season win against Arsenal in July.

United signed Pellistri from Penarol for £9million in October 2020 but he has only started four times for the club. The Uruguay international's last start was in September and he has made 14 appearances for United this season.

The Manchester Evening News reported last week United had received several enquiries about taking Pellistri on loan. United sources say a loan move to Granada is likely.

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Alejandro Garnacho has started on the right wing in three of United's last four games and, with Amad available again, Pellistri is set to be allowed to head out on loan for the third time since he joined the club.

Pellistri spent two separate loan spells with Alaves in Spain before he returned to United in the summer of 2022. Another loan move had been sanctioned by manager Erik ten Hag but Pellistri sustained an injury in the pre-season defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The choice of moving to another La Liga side effectively signals United's willingness to cash in on Pellistri, whose contract expires next year. United have the option of an additional year.

Granada are second from bottom in La Liga and recently had Alvaro Fernandez on loan from United. That arrangement was cut short as United negotiated a loan move for the Spaniard to Benfica, who have an obligation to sign Fernandez for €6million rising to €9m if he plays in 50 per cent of their remaining matches.