Manchester United step up player exits with Facundo Pellistri to join Panathinaikos

Uruguayan winger to leave in £5.1 million deal in search of regular football after stalled spell at United

Manchester United have agreed a deal for Uruguay winger Facundo Pellistri to join Greek club Panathinaikos in a package worth around £5.1 million.
Pellistri, 22, came off the bench in the Community Shield and played at full-back for Erik ten Hag but has looked to move away from Old Trafford to get regular first-team football this season.
United bought Pellistri four years ago from Peñarol in the Covid-hit extended window of 2020, with the player loaned out to Alavés and Granada in Spain during his time in English football.
He worked with Uruguayan coach Alexander Medina at Granada and will also be playing under a fellow countryman in Diego Alonso in Greece. Pellistri was selected for the World Cup in 2022 but his United career has struggled to get going, with his only Premier League start coming last season.
Pellistri was not in the squad for the season opener against Fulham on Friday, with Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo starting in wide areas.
United are braced for offers for other players before the end of the transfer window. Scott McTominay has interest from Napoli and was subject of a bid by Fulham, although after failing to reach an agreement they have switched attention to Sander Berge and are close to landing him from Burnley.
Berge was also on the shortlist of midfielders at United if they wanted to strengthen that area of the pitch but Burnley have thrashed out a deal worth £20 million plus £5 million in add-ons for the Norway international, who moved from Sheffield United to Turf Moor a year ago.
Fulham were also among the clubs who were keeping an eye on Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, with the England centre-back’s future uncertain at Liverpool after he missed their match at the weekend against Ipswich.