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Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and current midfielder Kobbie Mainoo have lauded the performance of Facundo Pellistri in Uruguay's 5-0 Copa America win over Bolivia in East Rutherford on Thursday (June 27). The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Granada.
Pellistri starred with a goal and an assist as La Celeste ran riot against their South American neighbours. The United man opened the scoring inside eight minutes before Darwin Nunez made it 2-0 before the break.
In the second half, Maximiliano Araujo, Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur scored to take the 15-time Copa champions to the cusp of the quarterfinals. An ecstatic Pellistri posted on Instagram after the win (as translated from Spanish):
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"A beautiful night with an amazing atmosphere, thank you! Come on Uruguay, one step closer."
De Gea - who has at United from 2011 to 2023 - and Mainoo reacted to Pellistri's performance at Copa America. While the former United goalkeeper posted two clapping emojis, Mainoo posted:
"Facuuuu"
Marcelo Bielsa's men next take on hosts USMNT on Sunday (June 30) in Kansas City, Missouri, knowing that avoiding defeat will take them through as group winners to the 2024 Copa America last-eight.
How has 2024 Copa America star Facundo Pellistri fared for Manchester United?
Facundo Pellistri has appeared just 24 times for Manchester United across competitions since arriving in 2020 from Penarol, contributing two assists. One of the assists came in United's victorious EFL Cup campaign in the 2022-23 season.
The other came in the Premier League last season, where Erik ten Hag's side finished a lowly eighth, their worst finish in the Premier League era. However, the Red Devils ended the season with a flourish, upsetting holders Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final.
Pellistri has a contract at Old Trafford till 2025, but The Peoples Person has reported that he could be on the move this summer, as he seeks more regular football. However, he's set to report for pre-season, with the player saying:
“I talk constantly with Manchester United. After each game, we exchange (messages). I’m not sure what I’m going to do after La Liga ends. What I am clear about is that I’m going to have to do the pre-season with Manchester.”
It remains to be seen if his strong performances for Uruguay at the Copa America leads to increased game time at Manchester United next season amid reports of interest from Europe as well as South America.
