Man Utd sent warning over 'spectacular' wonderkid - he could leave the club in January

Man Utd have been warned that they could lose young star Facundo Pellistri in the January transfer window.

Pellistri has been with the Red Devils since 2020, when he joined the club from Uruguayan side Penarol.

However, he is yet to play a competitive match at senior level for United, and has been restricted to U23 action.

He spent last season on loan at La Liga side Alaves, as well as the six months prior to the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Pellistri has remained at Old Trafford this season and, prior to Sunday's 2-1 win over Fulham, had been named in every matchday squad since the 6-1 defeat to Manchester City on October 2. However, he has not been given an opportunity from the bench.

Despite this, the 20-year-old has been named in Uruguay's final 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar.

He could, therefore, line up alongside the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Suarez and ex-United forward Edinson Cavani.

And, speaking ahead of the tournament, the player's agent, Eduardo Lasalvia, believes a good showing at the World Cup will ensure Pellistri can secure a move away from Old Trafford soon.

Pellistri could be set for Man Utd exit

Lasalvia stated (quotes via Daily Mirror): "I think that, with a good World Cup, as we think he will have, his departure is imminent."

Despite Pellistri's lack of gametime, he has impressed his peers for the national team.

The 20-year-old already has seven caps for his country at senior level, and played 45 minutes in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Iran in September.

And speaking in the same month, Barcelona and Uruguay centre-back Ronald Araujo was full of praise for Pellistri's commitment.

He told El Pais (quotes via Somos Invictos): "I think Facundo Pellistri surprised me quite a bit. Especially since he had not been playing. And more because of the level that he gave in the national team, that he was spectacular.

"Besides, we understood each other very well on the right wing. Facundo was the one that surprised me the most, yes."

Despite the comments made by Pellistri's agent', however, the player is contracted to Man Utd until 2025. Therefore, Erik ten Hag may want to keep the youngster at Old Trafford and give him more opportunities.

A strong performance at the World Cup would help Pellistri get exactly that. But if a move away is on the horizon, good displays in the World Cup would do that prospect no harm either, if United do want to sell the player.