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MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Facundo Pellistri has been called up by Uruguay for the 2022 World Cup, even though he hasn’t played at all this season.Pellistri, 20, has been established as one of United’s most promising young stars ever since his arrival in 2020 following a £7.2m deal with Penarol.
Manchester United wonderkid Facundo Pellistri has been called up by UruguayCredit: Getty
Uruguay called up Facundo Pellistri even though he hasn’t played for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
The winger, though, has never managed to play for the senior team and has mainly been featuring for the Under-21s, where he has registered three goals and one assist in nine appearances.
That, however, hasn’t stopped Uruguay manager Diego Alonso from calling the forward up for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Pellistri made Alonso’s early list, though, which means he can still miss out on the final cut.
Despite his lack of minutes, the Uruguayan was also called up in each of the last four international breaks in January, March, June and September.
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Alonso’s decision appears to have some logic as the youngster has already amassed three assists in seven caps for the international team.
The attacker hasn’t been completely inactive as he recently underwent an extended loan stint at Deportivo Alaves.
Pellistri joined the LaLiga outfit in January 2021 until his return to Old Trafford last summer.
Th Uruguay international amassed a total of 35 appearances during his time away at Alaves.
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Pellistri joins Real Madrid star Federico Valverde as well as Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez.
He will also be playing with former United team-mate Edinson Cavani, who now competes for Valencia.
Alonso also called up Uruguayan superstar Luis Suarez despite his advanced age of 35 and his imminent departure from Nacional. More

ERIK TEN HAG has warned Cristiano Ronaldo he faces a fan backlash over his “bad behaviour”.Manchester United boss Ten Hag claims Ronaldo’s club legend status will not protect him from stick after he refused to come on as a sub in Wednesday’s win over Tottenham.
Cristiano Ronaldo faces a Man Utd fan backlash for refusing to play against TottenhamCredit: Rex
Erik ten Hag has warned Ronaldo his legendary status won’t protect him from stickCredit: EPA
The moody Portuguese, 37, then stormed down the tunnel five minutes before the final whistle.
Ten Hag axed the five-time Champions League and Ballon d’Or winner from his squad for today’s trip to Chelsea.
And the tough-talking Dutchman told Ronaldo that United supporters will judge him on his actions now — not in the past.
Ten Hag said: “He has achieved a lot in his career. It is so brilliant.
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“But he has to be aware that you get judged by the moment and how you are acting today. It is about today — it is not about age or reputation.
“When in top sport, you get judged by the moment and how you act.
“Everyone has to be aware of it — not just Cristiano.”
Ten Hag warned Ronaldo about his behaviour when he walked out of the ground before the end of a pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano having been hooked at half-time.
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But refusing to come on at Old Trafford during Wednesday’s 2-0 win took it to another level.
Ten Hag said: “Everyone understands both are not acceptable. There has to be consequences for bad behaviour and when it is the second time.
“You can’t let it go or it will be miserable for the future. You have to take this measure.
“He has to live as anyone else along certain standards and standards we set this season.”
Ten Hag gave a firm ‘yes’ to confirm the player had refused to come on as a substitute.
BIG FINE FOR RONNIE
The United chief added there would have to be talks before he is allowed back into training with the rest of the squad.
As well as his axe and training exile, Ronaldo has been fined £720,000 — two weeks’ wages.
United go to Stamford Bridge a point off fourth-placed Chelsea in fifth and Ten Hag said his team will not be distracted by this week’s drama.
He said: “It’s part of playing in top football.
“There are rumours and noise and you can’t get distracted. You have to get the result.”
Ronaldo had issued a statement, saying: “I try to live and play respectfully towards my colleagues, adversaries and coaches.
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“I’ve always tried to set an example myself for the youngsters that grew in all the teams that I’ve represented. Unfortunately that’s not always possible.
“This is Manchester United and united we must stand. Soon we’ll be together again.” More

IF Cristiano Ronaldo thinks he can flounce back into the fold next week after his axing from Manchester United he has another thing coming.Boss Erik ten Hag has made it clear there is work to be done — on the player’s side.
Erik ten Hag is proving he is exactly what Man Utd needed in the dugoutCredit: EPA
Ten Hag is taking a firm line with Cristiano Ronaldo – which is the right decision for UnitedCredit: Getty
He said: “We will first talk.”
It was then put to him that there needs to be some contrition from Ronaldo before he is allowed back to training with the first team and an assurance that he will follow the rules.
Ten Hag said: “We set certain standards. That is for any player.”
The manager did not bother speaking to Ronaldo when he arrived at Carrington yesterday morning, he was concentrating on those who will be playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening.
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The Portugal superstar was left to train on his own.
Ten Hag said: “It will be a time for reflection for him, but also for everyone else.”
Time to reflect on what happened to the last player who refused to come on as a sub when Ten Hag called him, as Ronaldo did in the midweek 2-0 win against Spurs.
In 2018, Amin Younes did just that in a match between Ten Hag’s Ajax and Heerenveen.
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Ten Hag chucked him out of the squad, made him train with the youth team and he never kicked a ball for Ajax again before a move to Italian club Napoli that same year.
The striker is now on loan at Utrecht from Saudi Arabia club Al-Ettifaq.
Ten Hag had warned Ronaldo about his behaviour when he walked out of Old Trafford before the end of the pre-season friendly against Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.
But he took it to another level against Spurs, by refusing a direct order to enter the field of play before then exiting down the tunnel before the end of the game and leaving the ground.
Ten Hag said: “After Vallecano, I told him it was unacceptable. This is the second time, there are consequences.
“I sent a warning at the start of the season.
“It’s a miss for the squad but it’s important for the attitude and mentality of the group and now we have to focus on Chelsea as that is important.”
CLEAR FROM START
It was in Amsterdam in April last season that Ten Hag made it very clear to shocked Manchester United officials what was wrong at their club and how it had to be his way or the highway if they employed him.
His tough stance and strong words convinced United chiefs they had the man to solve the player-power problem that had befallen them since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
Ten Hag remembered that meeting yesterday as he discussed Ronaldo and he has certainly been true to his pledges.
He said: “I talked to the directors about the culture, top sport culture, standards and that is why they appointed me.
“They did some background and we had talks about how I lead, what my personality is and how I do it in a strategic way and about my standards and leadership.
“To get top sport culture and to set the highest standards, we have to live them.
“That is what we do at the moment. It is not something you can construct in a couple of weeks. It takes time.
RON ALWAYS NUMBER ONE
“We are setting high standards on the pitch and it reflects what we are constructing.”
Indeed those standards reached the highest level yet on the pitch under the Dutchman with Wednesday’s victory over Tottenham.
But it made it all the more annoying for him and the rest of the players that Ronaldo’s actions have moved the spotlight back on to him.
However, with the glare of the media on Ten Hag yesterday, he was pulling no punches.
It will have been music to the ears of United fans.
Ten Hag said: “I have to take the decisions in the interests of the club and the team especially, that’s my job. It doesn’t matter who it is, the age or reputation.
“I am the manager, I am responsible for top sport culture here and I have to set standards and values and I have to control them.
PULLING IN RIGHT DIRECTION
“In the team, we have values and standards and I have to control that.
“Also with my line-up, I have to pick the team which I think has the best chance to win.
“The expectations of Manchester United are really high. The ambitions are high.
“Our fans, all of our stakeholders expect results, so you have to act to certain standards and work every day on that.”
Ronaldo started only his second league game of the season last Sunday in the goalless draw against Newcastle.
He was not good, Manchester United were not good, and the Portuguese star was axed.
And, on Wednesday, they were excellent but Ronaldo could not handle the situation.
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Now, Ten Hag has handled it — and strongly.
He, not Ronaldo, is just what Manchester United need. More

CRISTIANO RONALDO might be in Erik ten Hag’s bad books after his strop against Spurs.But the Manchester United misfit remains focused on football by relaxing in compression recovery tracksuit bottoms worth over a GRAND.
Cristiano Ronaldo wore £1,129 compression tracksuit bottom after training with Man Utd’s U21sCredit: https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/
Ronnie has been axed by Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag after his tantrum against TottenhamCredit: Getty
Ronnie, 37, could be on his way out of Old Trafford for a second time after his touchline shenanigans on Sunday.
The Portugal legend refused to come on as a sub in United’s 2-0 win over Tottenham.
And he then stormed down the tunnel before leaving Old Trafford ahead of the final whistle.
Ronaldo, who looked FUMING as he arrived at Carrington today, has since been axed from United’s squad to face Chelsea.
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And he may have played his last game for the Red Devils, with SunSport exclusively revealing that boss Ten Hag is ready to cut Ronaldo loose.
In the meantime, the veteran spent Friday training with United’s U21s after being banished from the senior squad.
After a gruelling session, Ronaldo took to Instagram with a Story snap.
And in it, he revealed he was wearing some seriously expensive recovery gear in a bid to maintain his fitness.
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Ronaldo appeared to be wearing pneumatic compression trousers from Therabody, with the RecoveryAir PRO leggings retailing at £1,129.
According to the manufacturer’s website, it is a “form of pressure massage” which flushes bad fluids out of muscles while replacing them with “fresh, nutrient-rich blood.”
This in turn increases circulation, allowing for faster and more efficient recovery.
Ronaldo captioned the snap: “We continue.”
He is a huge fan of innovative recovery ideas.
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Earlier this year Ronaldo stripped down to his pants for a session in a cryotherapy chamber.
Fellow veterans like Chelsea’s Thiago Silva also credit the extra care they put into recovery for extending their careers at the top. More

CRISTIANO RONALDO has sensationally been AXED by Erik ten Hag for Saturday’s game against Chelsea.Ronnie has also been ordered to train by himself at Carrington after refusing to come on against Tottenham last night.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been axed from Man Utd’s squad to face ChelseaCredit: AFP
The Portuguese star, 37, was seen storming down the tunnel at Old Trafford as his side led 2-0 with injury time still to play.
It later emerged Ronaldo didn’t even go to the dressing room, instead opting to leave the stadium before the final whistle had even blown.
And he has now been accused of REFUSING to come off the bench against Antonio Conte’s side in a clear act of defiance.
Boss Erik ten Hag warned Ronaldo last night that he was ready to take action.
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And the Dutchman has shown he’s not all talk by axing the forward from United’s squad for this weekend’s game against Chelsea.
A statement from the Red Devils confirmed: “Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea.
“The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”
Meanwhile, the Athletic adds Ronaldo will also train by himself after taking the shine off United’s best performance of the season so far.
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The strong reaction, which could still see further punishment including a possible fine, appears to show the club have backed Ten Hag in the row.
Goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes saw United record a famous win over title-chasers Tottenham.
And fans were left buzzing after a high-energy performance from all 11 players on the pitch.
However, there was no sign of Ronaldo as Ten Hag made several changes late on.
Supporters were then left shocked as the club legend was seen making his way down the tunnel despite the clock only being in the 89th minute.
And Ten Hag was far from pleased when asked about the incident afterwards.
He said: “We will deal with that on Thursday. I saw him leaving but I didn’t speak to him after.
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“I don’t pay attention to that, we want to focus on this team, it was a magnificent performance from all 11 players.
“Tonight we celebrate the result and the rest we deal with on Thursday.” More

BRUNO FERNANDES revealed he enjoys a game of darts with his team mates now he has become an adopted Mancunian.And on the football field he finally hit the Bullseye with a second half beauty – to put an indifferent past few weeks behind him.
Darts lover Bruno Fernandes hit the Bullseye vs Spurs with a goal in Man Utd’s 2-0 winCredit: AFP
Just one goal and one assist in the first nine Premier League matches suggested that – like many an amateur darts player – he needs to work on his finishing.
Yet his curling effort 20 minutes from time here after Fred’s shot was blocked by Eric Dier was perfectly flighted.
The sensational start he made to life in England back in January 2020 has felt like a long time ago.
Fernandes provided 29 goals and 19 assists during his first 53 Premier League appearances after joining from Sporting Lisbon.
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But following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer almost a year ago, the 28-year-old has lost his way.
Some United fans have wondered if playing alongside his fellow Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo really suits him.
Yet he was given a glowing endorsement from his manager Erik ten Hag on the eve of this game.
The Dutchman has stood by him despite having plenty of numbers in central midfield – playing him in every minute so far.
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He said Fernandes has been “magnificent” and said he was the perfect example as the stand-in skipper in the absence of Harry Maguire.
Maybe those words provided the kind of boost Fernandes needed as this was much more like it.
An audacious dummy early on allowed midfield partner Fred to open up the Spurs defence for the first time.
His free-kick from 20 yards brought a flying save out of Hugo Lloris while he then slapped an effort over the bar.
PORTUGUESE MAGNIFICO
It was a clever pass from Fernandes that sent Marcus Rashford through but again Lloris was down well to make the save.
While there was no addition to his numbers, he contributed plenty to a hugely encouraging first half show from the Red Devils when all that was missing for them was a goal.
And that was the point Ten Hag had made before the game – that he was heavily involved in all of United’s best work even if the end product was missing.
All that changed when he pounced on a loose ball after Fred’s shot had been blocked and showed he had lost none of the instincts that made him such a favourite here.
From then he really had his swagger back and was starting to dictate the game.
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He burst clear onto a sweeping pass from Rashford to finish with style and show he had his confidence back – only for the linesman’s flag to cut his celebration short.
Even so, he had played a huge part in United’s best performance of the season – now he needs to build on it. More