Man United Rumors: Striker 'Identical' To Lionel Messi Asking For One Big Favor

A Manchester United striker doesn’t seem to see himself prospering at Old Trafford.

After being touted as one of the most exciting signings who arrived at Manchester United last year, Facundo Pellistri now wants to continue playing overseas.

Pellistri joined the Red Devils in October from Penarol and was projected as one of the club’s future stars.

However, the 19-year-old didn’t find his spot in the stacked attacking squad of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was eventually loaned out to La Liga side Alaves.

Things may have gone quite well for Pellistri at Alaves as he is now asking Manchester United to let him return and continue his loan spell at the Spanish club, AS reported.

This past season, Pellistri made 12 appearances for Alaves. He didn’t manage to score a goal in the process, but he “has left a good mark” in the La Liga outfit due to his qualities on and off the pitch, the report said.

Manchester United has yet to make a decision regarding Pellistri’s apparent request.

However, what is certain as things stand is that Solskjaer is well aware that the teenager will have a great future in his squad.

"Whilst we understand it will take time for him to adapt to the English game, he is capable of having an impact with his pace and ability to beat his opponent,” Solskjaer said of Pellistri in October.

"Facundo has the perfect platform at Manchester United to develop and he has all of the technical qualities and the right mentality required to become a top player here."

Manchester United Academy player performance manager Les Parry, on the other hand, has recently acknowledged Pellistri’s exceptional showing at Alaves.

“[Pellistri] He did well and they [Alaves] loved him,” Parry told Manchester United’s official website. “ He is fearless. He's brave and doesn't duck out of tackles.”

“He goes for headers meaning to go for headers – he doesn't just jump,” he added. “And, when he runs at defenders, one thing you can't let Facundo do is to get into the box. When he gets into the box, he has fantastic feet and leaves people standing. As you say, the fans really liked him there.”

What’s even more interesting is that as early as now, Pellistri has already been earning comparisons to the likes of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

However, the Uruguayan striker himself uttered that he is more identical to Messi than other famous forwards in the game.

"I like players like [Kylian] Mbappé, [Lionel] Messi or Neymar,” Pellistri told Sport earlier this year. “But the one I identify with the most is Messi."