Man Utd winger forced out by surprise star, as January exit gets double green light from Fabrizio Romano

Man Utd will look to move a winger on in January with Fabrizio Romano revealing the player wants out too, while a second report has hinted which star has forced him out.

Following the arrival of Antony, the loan return of Anthony Martial and the retention of Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd’s forward ranks are now filled to the brim.

Aside from that trio, Erik ten Hag can also call upon Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes and more recently, Alejandro Garnacho.

The 18-year-old scored his first senior goal for the Red Devils on Thursday night.

Garnacho has found joy in the Europa League this term with four appearances coming his way. He’s started the last two against Sheriff Tiraspol and Real Sociedad and already has an admirer in Paul Scholes.

Ten Hag too likes what he sees. Speaking after the 1-0 victory in Spain, the Dutchman said: “We need options and we have [injury] problems there.

“Antony not available, Martial not available, Sancho not available. So it’s thin.

“I’m really happy with the performance. I hope [Garnacho] can keep the process going.

“He was a threat, he scored a goal. He was reliable defending. So if he can keep this going, I’m really happy.”

The Manchester Evening News recently suggested Garnacho has leapfrogged fellow winger Facundo Pellistri in the pecking order.

The 22-year-old Uruguayan has been on United’s books since joining from Penarol for €10m in 2020. However, he’s struggled to convince his managers he’s worthy of first-team minutes on the pitch – unlike Garnacho.

Pellistri was again an unused substitute against Sociedad on Thursday night. He’s been named on the bench no fewer than 10 times this season, though has registered zero minutes of action.

That led to his agent claiming a Man Utd exit in January is ‘imminent’. Pellistri is expected to feature for Uruguay at the World Cup and his agent is banking on a strong showing in Qatar rousing the interest of would-be suitors.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Pellistri’s future.

Man Utd and Pellistri reach same conclusion

Romano stated Man Utd ‘will look for loan opportunities’ in January for their 22-year-old forward. What’s more, he claimed the player himself is ‘open to potential move in 2023’.

With both the player and club pulling in the same direction – as well as Pellistri’s agent – an exit in the winter window seems certain.

Romano did not offer much as to who could sign Pellistri, though did stress he’s ‘attracting interested from different countries/leagues’.

At the very least, that would suggest Pellistri may move abroad as he goes in search of greater game-time.

He previously spent two years on loan at Spanish side Deportivo Alaves, making 35 appearances across the two stints.

A return to Spain may well be on the horizon once more.

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