Facundo Pellistri tests positive for COVID-19

Manchester United striker Facundo Pellistri has tested positive for COVID-19, the player’s agency has revealed.

Pellistri joined United from Uruguayan club Penarol in October, but the 19-year-old is yet to make his senior debut as he adjusts to life in England. He was, however, on the sidelines of the first team and twice benched in the Champions League.

There was some hope he could secure a senior run-out this weekend, with United having to break off league duties to face league side Watford in the FA Cup. This will not happen now, however, as its representatives TMA confirmed that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

A statement reads: “We inform you that Facundo Pellistri, Manchester United player and member of the TMA team, has tested positive for COVID-19.

“He is doing the corresponding quarantine at home, without symptoms and respecting the physical care indicated by his club. We appreciate the messages received in recent days. Soon he will be training with his teammates again. ”

Although Pellistri has yet to play for the first team, he has trained regularly with the seniors since joining for almost £ 10million, and he told United’s official website earlier this week that working alongside his compatriot Edinson Cavani had been particularly gratifying.

He said: “It was amazing training with guys like Rashford, Pogba, Mata and Edi [Cavani], who is a very close friend with me.

“It’s amazing to me because I watched them on TV and now I train with them. The intensity, the great quality that they have, it’s great for me to play with them and I’m improving a lot.

“I talk to Edi all the time and he’s a very nice person. He always tries to be with me, giving me advice and whatever I need. He is there to help me and it is very important to me. I am very happy with it.

“I know he is one of the best players in the world and one of the best Uruguayan players of all time, but he is also a very nice person.”