Man Utd 'willing' to let Facundo Pellistri leave amid transfer interest from Villarreal

Erik ten Hag would be willing to let Facundo Pellistri leave this month amid interest from Spain and France, according to recent reports.

Pellistri has started just one Premier League game for Man Utd this season and been unable to break into the first-team picture despite preferable circumstances on the right-wing. Jadon Sancho has been absent since September while Antony was unavailable for a month.

Pellistri has fallen down the pecking order since the latter's return in October and Ten Hag has also preferred one of Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford on their unnatural side over the Uruguayan.

And The Sun now reports that Pellistri could leave United this month, following the return to fitness of long-term absentee Amad Diallo. Loan deals to one of Sevilla or OGC Nice, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have been touted.

But this report suggests a permanent exit could be on the cards with Villarreal 'reigniting' an interest in taking the winger on board this month.The Spanish side were thought to be interested in a move during the summer but were knocked back.

However, elimination from the Champions League and Carabao Cup has eased United's fixture schedule between now and May which could encourage them to offload fringe players. Ten Hag's side are expecting a quiet January in terms of incomings but any funds raised from sales could be reinvested.

United paid £9million when they signed Pellistri from Penarol in his home country back in 2020, and they are keen to at least recoup that money - if not make a tidy profit. It leaves all avenues open for the Uruguayan, who could either remain at Old Trafford, leave temporarily or call time on his career in Manchester.

Pellistri has already been sent out on loan twice since joining United, moving to Spain on both occasions to play for Alaves.