JOSE CAN’T ANDREAS FAULT
Long player Pereira under starter’s orders
ANDREAS PEREIRA is set to start the new season for Manchester United after earning the trust of Jose Mourinho on the club’s US tour.
Pereira played 443 minutes on United’s five-game tour – more than anyone else – and looks to have played his way into the starting line-up for their Premier League opener against Leicester a week today.
The Belgium-born midfielder, who has switched his allegiance to Brazil, impressed Mourinho and his coaching staff with his performances after two years spent away on loan.
Key
Successive spells in Spain with Granada and Valencia last season saw the 22-year-old mature and develop to the extent he is now considered a key member of Mourinho’s squad.
Pereira took advantage of his chance to impress in the US, with Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini still on postWorld Cup breaks, while fellow midfielder Nemanja Matic is sidelined for several weeks following abdominal surgery.
With Mourinho’s options in the middle limited, Pereira – who played the No.6 role for United in the US – is likely to start against the Foxes, along with Ander Herrera and new £52m signing Fred.
Pereira played with assurance and scored a superb 25-yard free-kick in United’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool in Michigan at the weekend.
“United now have a better player because I went to Valencia,” said Pereira.
“I played more minutes than I would have played at United.
“At Valencia I was playing a high level every week and I improved a lot.
“I was under pressure in a good way. I played in a team which played very good football with an explosive counterattack.
“The tour has been great for me and I’m very happy with the team here. We’re getting better every game.”
Pereira is also benefiting from the advice of United legend Michael Carrick, who retired from playing last season to take up a coaching role as part of Mourinho’s staff.
“He gives me advice all the time, he’s very good for me,” said Pereira.
“He played in the same position, so it’s very easy to learn off him and if he tells you something it’s easy to pick it up. So I’m very lucky he’s there for me.”