Facundo Pellistri to leave Manchester United in January if he impresses for Uruguay at World Cup

Facundo Pellistri is set to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window, according to the player’s agent.

The Uruguayan winger, who started the campaign with an ankle injury suffered against Liverpool in pre-season, has yet to make a single senior appearance under Erik ten Hag in any competition so far this term, despite being part of the matchday squad on several occasions over recent weeks.

Pellistri was again an unused substitute in Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham at Old Trafford, having also been kept on the bench for top-flight meetings with Manchester City, Everton, Newcastle and Chelsea.

The 20-year-old has not even featured in the Europa League, failing to come on in the recent double-header against Omonia Nicosia and the home win over Sherriff Tiraspol.

Indeed, Pellistri has yet to make his senior debut for United after joining in a £9million deal from Uruguayan giants Penarol in the summer of 2020, spending two stints on loan in LaLiga with Alaves.

And while the player recently confirmed his happiness at being back at United and training with star team-mates at Carrington as he bids to make the Uruguay squad for the forthcoming World Cup, his agent has confirmed that a switch is inevitable if he impresses in Qatar.

"I think that with a good World Cup, as we think he will have, his departure is imminent," Pellistri’s representative Edgardo Lasalvia told ESPN.

Lasalvia also looks after Pellistri’s compatriot Facundo Torres, who Standard Sport understands is firmly on Arsenal’s transfer radar ahead of the January window.

The Gunners will soon hold talks with Lasalvia and MLS club Orlando City over the 22-year-old winger as they look to provide competition and cover for the injured Bukayo Saka.