Manchester United sent off another player on Tuesday, with Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri having flown to Spain to finalise his loan spell at Granada. The 22-year-old, who will return to La Liga in the second half of the season, has plenty of experience fighting for relegation, as Alaves, who have joined Alawes twice in the past.
In Manchester United's FA Cup clash with Newport last weekend, Pellistri was an unused substitute. On Tuesday afternoon, he had already left for the Iberian Peninsula. Its agent, Edgardo LaSalvia, confirmed: "Facundo (Pellistri) took off from Manchester airport at 15pm and we are waiting for him to arrive, he will be on loan until June. 」
Manchester United signed Pellistri from Penarol for £9 million at the summer window deadline in October 2020 and he made 24 appearances for the club. Pellistri was a regular starter for Uruguay but failed to establish himself at Manchester United. Pee has not started for United since September and has limited opportunities in the first team, with Ten Hag preferring Antony and Alejandro Garnacho to play as a right winger.
The January transfer window closes on Thursday 1 February, with Pellistri's move ready to be completed before the deadline, and he will become the 10th player to leave Manchester United on loan this month. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has announced the completion of the deal: "Manchester United have the green light and Pellistri has joined Granada. The rental period is until June, and the medical examination has been scheduled. Pellistri flew to Granada on Wednesday and will sign after completing a medical exam. 」
Ten players have left the club so far in the winter window, nine of them on loan: Radek Vitek (Eington Stanley), Álvaro Fernandez (Benfica), Les Bennett (Stockport), Maxi Ojedler (Forest Green Rovers), Donny van de Beek (Eintracht Frankfurt), Hannibal Mejbri (Sevilla), Dan Gore (Port Vale), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) and Joe Hugill (Burton Albion).
In addition, Manchester United also sent Academy striker Matteo Mejía to Sevilla for free, while Sergio Reguilon, who was on loan from Tottenham, was returned midway.
Now, the focus will be on whether there will be a 13th player to leave the club. Ivory Coast's €40 million winger Amad Diallo may consider a move, with former Championship club Sunderland looking to sign him on loan again.
The 21-year-old joined Sunderland last season and scored 14 goals in 39 Championship games to help them reach the promotion play-offs. On his return to Manchester United, he was plagued by injuries and, after his recent return, Ten Hag did not take his presence very seriously, and in the FA Cup, he sat on the bench with the departing Pellistri and watched Academy youngster Omari Forsen come off the bench without getting any playing time himself.
As such, the young right winger is rumoured to be considering leaving. But it remains to be seen whether this will happen, with Romano saying: "Diallo has not asked to leave the club and I have heard rumours that his request for a loan is not true. Diallo is happy to stay, United want him to be part of the squad, and Ten Hag is clear about Diallo's role now and in the future. 」
However, if Diallo stays at Manchester United, then he faces the fate of being on the sidelines for a long time. Although Pelistri is gone, there are two other contenders on the right wing, Garnacho and Antony, both of whom are Ten Hag's favourites.