ERIK TEN HAG BEGINS MAN UTD CLEAR-OUT WITH MIDFIELD DUO HEADING FOR EXIT

Manchester United are clearing out some of their fringe players with Facundo Pellistri joining Panathinaikos for £5.1million.

The deal for Pellistri is close and United will have a 40 per cent sell-in clause inserted in the transfer. Pellistri, 22, had loan spells in Spain at Alaves and Granada and the Uruguay midfielder made four starts for United.

He also came on in the Community Shield defeat on penalties to Manchester City and United are letting him go because he wants regular senior football. Boss Erik ten Hag wants another midfielder to partner Kobbie Mainoo in the holding role in his 4-2-3-1 formation and he does not see Pellestri getting much game time.

Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is also set to leave Old Trafford and Burnley and Leeds are battling it out for him. Burnley want a midfielder to replace the Fulham-bound Sander Berge and feel Mejbri can help.

Mejbri, 21, played in United’s win at Burnley last September before he had an unsuccessful loan at Sevilla in the second half of the season, where he made just six appearances. Leeds are also keen on him, but it is believed Burnley, who have just signed England Under-21 defender Bashir Humphreys, are ahead of them in the race.

Ten Hag is keen to trim his squad ahead of the closure of the transfer window on August 30 and he only wants to work with the players he will use on a regular basis. Jadon Sancho and Scott McTominay could yet go as the clock ticks down and Sancho is wanted by Paris St Germain, while United remain in talks with Napoli over McTominay.

Anderlecht are also being linked with Christian Eriksen in Belgium and the Danish midfielder has 10 months left on his Old Trafford deal. However United have not confirmed that interest and Eriksen looks set for a bit-part role at best at Old Trafford.

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2024-08-21T13:22:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd