Manchester United have signed Uruguayan teen prodigy Facundo Pellistri for around $11 million.
The Red Devils have not added help at center back but did land a left back and three attackers on Transfer Deadline Day.
In Pellistri, United has added a second teenager for both now and for the future after spending big on Amad Diallo of Atalanta, who will arrive in January.
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Pellistri had already been playing plenty of first team football with Penarol, scoring and assisting in the Copa Libertadores as part of his two goals and four assists in 37 appearances.
“To join a club with the history of Manchester United is a dream come true. I have learnt a lot at Penarol and I would like to thank them for everything they have done for me. To have the confidence of the manager is an amazing feeling and I know that working with him will be perfect for my development.”
Still 18 under late December, Pellistri has played mostly right wing in his time with Penarol. It might sound goofy to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed by the teen, but consider that Pellistri was briefly managed by ex-United hero Diego Forlan.
Solskjaer and Forlan have spoken well of each other since leaving Old Trafford, and it would come as little surprise if the recommendation went directly from Forlan to his former United teammate.
🟡⚫️ Peñarol’s No10 Facundo Pellistri in the Copa Libertadores in 2020:
✅ 5 Games
⚽️ 1 Goal
🅰️ 1 Assist🇺🇾 The 18 year-old Uruguayan winger has a €10M release clause and is linked with Manchester United. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/W5wN4icmrC
— Soccer Manager Games (@SoccerManager) October 3, 2020
Marca reporter Chris Winterburn says this is not simply a name for the future.
Pellistri will arrive at Manchester United immediately, will likely play with the under-23 team initially, but will train with the senior group. I’d be surprised if his debut didn’t come in 2020.
— Chris Winterburn (@cmwinterburn) October 5, 2020