Man United star opens up about how special it is to have Cristiano Ronaldo similarity

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Facundo Pellistri has opened up about why the number 28 shirt for Manchester United means so much to him.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed Facundo Pellistri from Penarol for £7 million but the Uruguayan winger has not received the chances at Manchester United that he would have liked.

After back-to-back loan moves to Spanish side Alaves, Pellistri has returned to the first team this season and has finally been given chances to impress by Erik ten Hag.

Pellistri has featured in eight Premier League games this season, the most he has ever featured for the Red Devils, and has looked promising in those games for United.

Pellistri on Ronaldo

Speaking to the United website, Pellistri has revealed how special it was to receive the number 28 shirt, which was adorned by former United hero Cristiano Ronaldo, during the Portuguese striker’s time at Sporting Lisbon.

“Well because, when I came here to Manchester, I was playing in Penarol and I had the no.10. So the two plus the eight, they sum up to 10,” he reveals when asked why the number 28 shirt.

“So that’s why I take it. And, later, I realised that number was the one Ronaldo also made his debut in and all that. So, for me, that number is very special.”

Ronaldo wore no.28 too when breaking through in Lisbon and wore the number when he made the famous appearance in the pre-season friendly against Sir Alex Ferguson’s United back in 2003.

Pellistri deserves more chances

For his national side, where he has excelled, the winger has worn the number 8 shirt and number 11. Whether he will ever be compared to the great forward remains to be seen but the similarities between Pellistri and Ronaldo’s teenage years are certainly there.

Brought into the club at a young age after shining elsewhere, Pellistri is an exciting winger who, as of yet, hasn’t been given consistent opportunities in the United first team.

He has shown pace, endeavour and has always been willing to fight for the team. He has yet to net in a competitive game for the Red Devils but certainly looks more exciting than struggling winger Antony.

With Amad Diallo back on grass, the two wingers United signed in the summer of 2020 could soon be available, which would be a big boost for Ten Hag as United’s wingers continue to underperform.

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