Erik ten Hag wields the axe! Jadon Sancho set to be joined by fellow Man Utd outcast Facundo Pellistri on exit ramp as Villarreal eye up move

Ten Hag is reportedly ready to let out-of-favour United star Facuno Pellistri leave the club in the January transfer window, with La Liga side Villarreal interested in signing the player on a permanent deal, according to The Sun.

Pellistri, who had previously gone out on loan twice with Alaves, has never been able to cement his place in United's starting line-up since joining them in 2020 for £9 million ($11.5m). In the current season, the Uruguayan has appeared in 13 matches across all competitions where he has clocked just 363 minutes on the pitch.

While the Yellow Submarine are willing to buy the youngster permanently, the report states that they could also opt to sign him on a temporary loan deal with an option to buy him in the next transfer window. The Red Devils are hoping to recover the amount they paid signing the player four years back.

Ten Hag's side will play their first game of 2024 on Monday as they take on Wigan Athletic away from home in the third round of the FA Cup. They then face Tottenham Hotspur in a crucial Premier League encounter on January 14.