Exiting Man Utd winger confirms Ronaldo claim is true; breaks silence on Ten Hag and new attacker who’s displaced him

A Man Utd winger destined to leave in January has backed up a common Cristiano Ronaldo claim, and had nothing but good things to say about the attacker who’s seemingly forced him out.

Facundo Pellistri may depart Manchester United in January before ever making his senior debut for the club. The 22-year-old Uruguayan arrived from Penarol in 2020, though his time on the club’s books has mainly been spent out on loan.

Two stints with Spanish side Deportivo Alaves were forthcoming before Pellistri was retained in the first-team squad this season.

However, new boss Erik ten Hag hasn’t seen fit to give him a single minute of action as yet. That’s despite making the bench in 10 matches across the Premier League and Europa League.

Pellistri’s agent recently claimed his client’s exit in January is “imminent”.

Fabrizio Romano added more fuel to the fire, tweeting Man Utd are exploring loan opportunities for after the World Cup. The trusted journalist also suggested Pellistri was on board with the exit plans too.

Now, speaking to ESPN Uruguay, Pellistri has opened up about his Man Utd manager and two of his team-mates.

Cristiano Ronaldo claim is true

Firstly, Pellistri revealed his admiration for Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo, and confirmed the common claim he’s the hardest worker and always first to arrive and last to leave for training is not a myth.

Pellistri said: “What most caught my attention about Cristiano Ronaldo? When I saw him I was impressed by him, but yes, he is always one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave.

“One always listens to those things [about Ronaldo] but with him I confirmed it.

“Besides, ‘he’s very human’; As much as he is one of the biggest stars that exist in football and in the world, he is always attentive to everything.

“He always greets me and asks me about my injury, as a person he is incredible, as a player we already know what he is.”

The Manchester Evening News recently claimed United’s newest sensation, Alejandro Garnacho, is ahead of Pellistri in the pecking order.

Despite being just 18, Garnacho has broken into Ten Hag’s first-team plans this season. The lively winger has two starts to his name in the Europa League and scored the winning goal last time out against Real Sociedad.

Paul Scholes is one notable admirer of the youngster, while Romano recently reported United have plans afoot for a new five-year contract.

Garnacho’s rise has placed another hurdle in Pellistri’s path to first-team minutes. It stands to reason his rise is part of the reason United are now willing to loan Pellistri out next window.

Pellistri on Garnacho, Ten Hag

But despite Garnacho seemingly forcing him out, Pellistri had nothing but good things to say about United’s rising star.

“Garnacho is a very fast winger and something that I like a lot about him is that he always tries to face up,” said Pellistri.

“He is one of those players that whoever you put on will always go forward and that is something that I like.

“Besides that, he is a great friend of mine.”

Finally, Pellistri gave his assessment on the job Ten Hag is doing at Old Trafford.

“Ten Hag really likes to press up high and for the team to be the protagonist,” he continued.

“You can see that Manchester is starting to at least win more games and I think that by the end of the year things will go well”

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