“No coincidence…” Ex-manager claims club have made a “great transfer” in Manchester United star

Manchester United have been aggressive in their efforts to sell players to raise transfer funds, and one manager feels his former club has secured a great deal because of this.

Manchester United are actively clearing space and raising funds after their substantial £139 million investment in players like Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, and Noussair Mazraoui this transfer season.

The club have already recouped over £55 million from the sales of key players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mason Greenwood, Willy Kambwala.

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With the transfer window about to close in under two weeks, United’s focus is on acquiring a new midfielder and possibly a left-back, with reports indicating a strong push by Manuel Ugarte to join from Paris Saint-Germain.

The latest man who is seemingly set to exit is United winger Facundo Pellistri, who has starred with the Uruguay national team over the last few seasons.

Pellistri is set to sign for Greek side Panathinaikos in a deal worth around £5.1 million, and their former manager Sergio Markarian has praised both the 22-year-old and his former side for securing the transfer.

“Pelistri is a quality and skilled winger. Quick and capable in one-on-ones, he has the means to break down opposing defences,” Markarian told SDNA.

“He marks the opponents and works effectively in the defensive part as well, offering help to the full-back behind him.

“It is no coincidence that, from an early age, he has been playing in the Uruguayan national team and at the age of 22 he is a key member of it. Great transfer for Panathinaikos.”

Facundo Pellistri’s tenure at Manchester United has been fraught with inconsistency, and manager Erik ten Hag has yet to fully integrate him into the squad. After being signed from Peñarol in Uruguay for approximately £7 million in 2020, expectations were high for Pellistri to become an influential winger.

However, his prospects at United have been overshadowed by the rise of Alejandro Garnacho and the emergence of Amad Diallo, further squeezing his chances in the first team.

Consequently, Pellistri has found himself on loan to various La Liga teams, including two spells at Alaves and a recent move to Granada in January 2024.

Despite these club-level setbacks, Pellistri has shown promising form for Uruguay, notably securing a starting position during the 2022 World Cup campaign.

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