Manchester United are set to hand Uruguayan starlet Facundo Pellestri a new long-term contract, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter.

The new contract will extend Pellistri’s deal with the Red Devils until June 2028 – it seems apparent that the 21-year-old is in Erik Ten Hag’s future first-team plans. This will come as positive news to United fans – Pellistri’s game time this season has been limited, but he is set to remain at the club for some time yet.

In Romano’s tweet, he wrote: “Understand Manchester United are now advancing in talks to extend Facundo Pellistri’s contract until June 2028. Plan very clear for Pellistri while Amad dreams of Man United 1st team chance next season.”

Facundo Pellestri’s career so far

Born in Montevideo, Pellistri initially spent time at the youth academies of La Picada and River Plate Montevideo, before he joined Peñarol in 2012.

After spending seven years at the club, he made his senior Penarol debut in 2019. He made 30 appearances for the club, scoring a single goals, before Manchester United came knocking. He was being managed by former United striker Diego Forlan at the time, who endorsed the deal – he was also compared to Premier League legend Ryan Giggs by former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pellistri signed for the Red Devils in 2020 for a reported transfer fee of £9 million. In the current campaign, Pellistri has made nine appearances for Manchester United, notching up a single assist (which came in the EFL Cup in a game against Charlton Athletic).

While Pellistri has yet to make a major splash in United’s senior team setup, Erik Ten Hag will be hoping for big things in the future for this young man. Can he live up to Uruguayan Premier League all stars of the past such as Edison Cavani and former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez?