Manchester United are reportedly making progress in talks to tie Facundo Pellistri down to a new long-term deal.
The 21-year-old arrived from Uruguayan outfit Penarol in 2020 with high expectations, but he has had to be patient for his breakthrough under Erik ten Hag, who has preferred Antony, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga - to a certain extent - in the wide areas this season.
Rather than being integrated into the first team, Pellistri was twice loaned out to Alaves for the second half of the 2020-21 season and entirety of the 2021-22 campaign, although he went 35 games without banking a goal or assist for the Spanish outfit.
Having failed to earn the trust of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick, Pellistri was given the opportunity to impress in pre-season under Ten Hag and belatedly made his senior debut for Man United in an EFL Cup tie against Charlton Athletic in January.
The attacker's maiden appearance came 828 days after he signed for the club, and he has since played nine times for the first team in all tournaments this term, including one start in the Europa League against Real Betis.
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Prior to making his Old Trafford debut, the 21-year-old started two of Uruguay's three group games at the World Cup, and Pellistri's agent hinted in January that his client may have had to seek an exit from Old Trafford given his lack of opportunities.
However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano now claims that Man United are advancing in talks to tie the South American down to a new long-term contract, with his current terms due to run out in 2025.
Romano claims that Pellistri's renewal will keep him on the books at Old Trafford until the summer of 2028, and Ten Hag views him as an important part of the club's future.
Pellistri has made three appearances off the bench in the Premier League this season, but he has been an unused substitute in eight of the Red Devils' last nine top-flight contests, including Saturday's 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
As well as tying Pellistri down to fresh terms, Romano states that Amad Diallo is also 'dreaming' of becoming a key member of the Man United squad next year on the back of a successful loan with Sunderland.
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The former Atalanta BC youngster scored 14 goals and set up four more in 43 appearances for the Black Cats, including 13 strikes from 37 regular-season Championship games.
Diallo's exploits helped Tony Mowbray's side sneak into the playoffs, although their Premier League fantasy came to an end in a semi-final defeat to Luton Town.
The 20-year-old - who arrived in the same window as Pellistri - has just nine Red Devils appearances to his name so far, but Ten Hag has confirmed that he sees his future at the Theatre of Dreams.
Thanks to Casemiro's acrobatic winner at Bournemouth, Man United hold a three-point lead over Liverpool and only need a draw against Chelsea on Thursday to confirm a top-four finish and a place in the Champions League for the 2023-24 season.
Ben Knapton
