Championship side want to sign Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri on loan

Championship side Watford want to sign Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri on loan this month, reports The Telegraph.

The 21-year-old finally made his competitive debut for the Red Devils in last night’s 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final win against League One side Charlton Athletic.

United’s number 28, who was signed for £9m from Penarol in October 2020 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was at the helm, made his bow for the Busy Babes against the Addicks after replacing Anthony Elanga in the 85th minute.

The ten-time Uruguay international, who featured for La Celeste at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, provided an assist for Marcus Rashford on his debut.

Watford want to sign Facundo Pellistri on loan

Erik ten Hag was full of praise for the pacey South American following his eye-catching cameo against Charlton, but he refused to be drawn on whether Pellistri would head out on loan during the January transfer window.

Hornets boss Slaven Bilic, the former West Ham United and Croatia manager, is keen to sign Pellistri on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign to bolster his side’s promotion push, as the Vicarage Road side look to secure an immediate return to the top-flight.

According to The Telegraph, Pellistri is expected to be allowed to head out on loan this month, but Bilic’s Hornets will ‘face strong competition from a host of clubs in England and around Europe’.

Pellistri’s agent Edgardo Lasalvia has reportedly flown to England to try and resolve his client’s future during the January transfer window.

Lasalvia stated in November that Pellistri will leave the Red Devils after the World Cup.

Having suffered an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid at the end of July, any chance of Pellistri heading out on loan was scuppered.

Since joining United Pellistri has had two loan spells in Spain with Alaves where he made 35 appearances.

Prior to making his debut against Charlton, Pellistri’s only appearance for Manchester United this season came in the EFL Trophy for the under-21s against Barrow.

But if Bilic and Lasalvia get their way, Pellistri could be heading for Vicarage Road, which would see him join fellow United youngsters Alvaro Fernandez, Ethan Laird, Hannibal Mejbri and Amad Diallo who are all currently spending the 2022-23 campaign on loan in the Championship.