Alaves is the 'ideal team' for Utd's Pellistri, says LaLiga side's president

Alaves president Alfonso Fernandez de Troconiz believes the LaLiga side is the 'ideal' place for Manchester United starlet Facundo Pellistri to kickstart his career in Europe.

The 19-year-old joined in October and cost around £9million after arriving from Montevideo-based outfit Penarol.

He impressed for United at youth level but it was agreed he would benefit from top-flight experience on the continent, with Alaves beating off competition to add him to their squad.

'We have full confidence in him and this is why we really fought to get him in on loan,' Troconiz told Sportsmail.

'We really think he can contribute a lot to us.

'We are fully aware he is a young player and he is beginning his European career and he will need to improve.

'But we think we are an ideal team for him to improve with because Alaves is a small club and I think this could favour his improvement.

'We are convinced that he is going to help us have a magnificent second part of the season.'

Pellistri has made eight appearance for Manchester United's Under 23 side but first team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was pushing for him to experience regular first-team football elsewhere to continue his development.

United have high hopes for Pellistri after he was recommended by the club's former player Diego Forlan and they will be watching with interest to see if he can play a key role in Alaves' relegation battle with 17 games remaining.

The teenager enjoyed his first training session at Alaves' Instalaciones de Ibaia training base on Wednesday and is pushing to make his debut on Friday night in a crucial home game against Real Valladolid.

Alaves currently sit 18th in LaLiga with just 19 points from their opening 21 matches in what is their fifth successive season in Spain's top tier.

Victory for Abelardo Fernandez's side on Friday would see them go above Valladolid and out of the three relegation spots.

Watch Alaves vs Real Valladolid live this Friday at 8pm on FreeSports and LaLigaTV, available to Sky UK and Virgin customers across the UK from just £6.99 a month.