Pranav Nair
Facundo Pellistri reveals why he chose to leave Manchester United on loan
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United wonderkid Facundo Pellistri has revealed why he chose to join Deportivo Alaves on loan this summer.
The Uruguayan sensation joined United last summer but is yet to make his competitive first-team bow for the club. He spent the second half of the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Alaves where he made 12 appearances. It was decided that Pellistri would benefit from some first-team football after mostly playing for the U-23s during the initial months.
He appears to have made a positive impression in Spain, attracting interest from a number of clubs this summer. The player, however, chose to return to the Mendizorrotza Stadium. He has now opened up on the reason behind the decision.
As per the report, Pellestri admits that being familiar with the Spanish side helped make his decision easier. The club’s treatment of the player appears to have struck a chord and Pellestri was keen to continue the association.
“If I had the possibility of getting out on loan, I wanted to be at Alavés because I felt very comfortable last season and luckily they received me in the best way.”
The Uruguayan is keen to experience as many first-team minutes as he can and is looking forward to impressing the Spaniards. While he failed to score or assist during his previous spell, there were flashes of brilliance that outlined his potential.
“Mainly I come to look for as many minutes as possible and feel more comfortable giving assists and helping the team.”
It is never easy for a teenager to move to a new country and a continent. Pellistri’s decision to go for a team that is familiar makes sense given that he has now been in Europe for just a year. Hopefully, he will now be able to kick on and continue his development away from Old Trafford.
He has better chances of gaining regular playtime in Spain and all things said, Pellistri’s decision is a sound one. Whether he will enjoy a breakout campaign before returning to Old Trafford next summer remains to be seen.
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Pellistri could have stayed at United and fancied his luck. But with Jadon Sancho arriving and Anthony Martial set to stay, he will have enough obstacles to overcome before making it to the starting XI. While impressing for the Under-23s is well and good, there is no substitute for senior football. With that now in the bag, the onus is on the player to return a better version of himself.
