Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri has opened up on his desire to re-join Penarol somewhere down the line as he faces an uncertain future at the Premier League giants.
After suffering relegation on loan at Deportivo Alaves back in 2022, history looks set to repeat itself for Facundo Pellistri.
The Manchester United youngster returned for a second spell in La Liga with Granada during the January transfer window. But ten points adrift of safety with only two months remaining, Pellistri will almost certainly return to Old Trafford this summer with another relegation on his CV.
On the upside, Pellistri will emerge from the wreckage of a dreadful Granada season with his relegation unscathed. Enhanced, even.
Manchester United loanee impressing in Spain
Pellistri scored one and set up another on his debut during a thrilling 3-3 draw with Barcelona, and used his twinkle-toed trickery to win a penalty during Saturday’s valiant 3-2 defeat by Real Sociedad.
Still, his future beyond the current campaign remains uncertain, with Man United’s new Ineos decision-makers looking to trim the fat and reduce the wage bill.
Pellistri, meanwhile, certainly feels he has unfinished business at his beloved Penarol. But, at the age of 22 and putting your head before your heart, his prospects would surely be better served by extending his stay on this side of the Atlantic.
“Penarol is the club of which I am a fan,” Pellistri tells ESPN. “I am happy with Penarol’s present. As a fan, I always hope for the best.
“Thinking about the future, I am not one to plan out my career so much. But I am sure I want to return to Penarol because of the moments I lived there and because I’m a fan of the club. I don’t know when. But, one day, I would like to return.”
Facundo Pellistri wants Penarol return
Pellistri made 37 appearances for Penarol – many of those coming under one Diego Forlan – before securing a £9 million move to Manchester United in the summer of 2020. The Uruguayan outfit currently employ club legend Diego Aguirre as head coach.
Aguirre was a key figure in Penarol’s most recent Copa Libertadores triumph, coming all the way back in 1987.
“I did not experience Diego Aguirre as a player,” Pellistri adds. “But I have (heard) the stories of my father who experienced the 1987 Libertadores final from on the field. He has a scar on his hand from jumping (over the barriers) of the National Stadium of Santiago to enter the field!”
Pellistri found game time hard to come by under Erik ten Hag before returning to Spain, starting only one Premier League game during the first half of this term despite the absences of Jadon Sancho and Antony.
His agent, meanwhile, has indicated that a permanent departure may be pursued if Ten Hag remains head coach under Ineos.
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