Last week, after his £5 million departure was completed, Erik ten Hag opened up on exactly why Manchester United felt the need to cash in on a ‘very talented’ young player.
Facundo Pellistri, the Red Devils boss said, had made some impressive progress over the previous few months too. His introduction in an unfamiliar right-back role during the Community Shield spoke to Ten Hag’s trust in the winger, as well as the versatile streak he obvious sees in him.
But when Panathinaikos firmed up their interest, Manchester United could not stand in Pellistri’s way.
After handing him only one Premier League start since taking over from Ralf Rangnick in 2022, Ten Hag felt that Man United simply could not guarantee Pellistri the game time he needs in order to fulfil his potential.
Now, in his first official interview as a Panathinaikos player, the 22-year-old Uruguay international spoke like a man who agrees with Ten Hag’s perspective, highlighting the sheer volume of players ahead of him in the Old Trafford pecking order.
Manchester United sell Facundo Pellistri to Greece
“It was amazing,” Pellistri tells the Panathinaikos website. “I spent four years at Manchester United. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“I improved a lot as a footballer and as a person. I have very good friends there. I have very good memories. Now, I will try to take advantage of all this experience I gained
“As I said, Manchester are one of the top teams in the world. If you look at the squad, you will see the best footballers. The competition is great and sometimes you will get a chance to compete, sometimes not.
“As a team, it is so big, with so many footballers in all positions. Sometimes, it is not so easy to find playing time.”
Pellistri, if had stayed at United, would likely have been behind Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony on the right hand side. At the time, it looked as if Jadon Sancho was set to stick around too.
“I played at United and I enjoyed it, but at some point you want to compete more,” adds Pellistri, who joined from Uruguayan outfit Penarol during the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era. “At United, you’re not guaranteed playing time so at some point you want to look at other prospects.
“That’s why everything happened and I’m really happy to be here.”
After making his debut in Thursday’s 2-1 defeat by Lens in the Conference League qualifiers, Pellistri found himself in the starting XI for the first time as former Middlesbrough striker Andraz Sporar struck a 96th minute winner against Levadiakos on Sunday.
He is already a quarter of the way towards equalling the number of starts he made in nearly half-a-decade at United.
Panathinakos coach Diego Alonso key to deal
Pellistri also confirms that the chance to reunite with his former Uruguay boss Diego Alonso was another key factor in the decision to swap Manchester for Athens.
“When a club like Panathinaikos approaches a footballer and makes a persistent effort to sign him by showing him how much they want him, then for the footballer it is a very proud moment,” adds Pellistri.
“Yes, of course Diego’s presence was very important, because I know him from the Uruguayan national team. We shared very nice moments. He called me almost every day when I was at Manchester United , to explain to me about the club, the plan, what he wanted to do.
“I really liked the idea. All this together led me to come here.”
Pellistri, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Granada, will be tasked with helping end a title drought that has rumbled on for over a decade.
“(Alonso) he told me how big a club Panathinaikos is,” the winger explains. “He told to me how much the team will try to achieve this year and that, in a footballer’s mind, is very important. Of course they are one of the top teams in Greece.
“For me, it’s a new adventure, a new chapter and I can’t wait to do well and leave the fans satisfied, which is the main reason we play football.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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