Pereira hoping to kick-start United’s season with ‘perfect derby’ win
Andreas Pereira will look to use the hurt of Manchester United’s wretched start as a catalyst to a season-changing victory against table-topping rivals Liverpool.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have had a lot of soul-searching to do over the international break after the shock loss at embattled Newcastle United left them just two points off the Premier League relegation zone.
Liverpool are looking to compound United’s worst start in 30 years today, when Jurgen Klopp’s men will aim for a record-equalling 18th successive top-flight victory.
All eyes will be on Old Trafford as the old foes do battle and Pereira believes this is the “perfect” match. “We know the fans are hurting,” said the 23-year-old midfielder. “The players and everyone at the club, here at the training ground, hurts. Me, even more, because I’m a Manchester United fan and a player and I am here at the training complex every day. It hurts not getting the results.
“Everybody is doing their best to get it turned around and I am sure it will happen. Everyone is working hard, even harder and, sooner or later, when everyone is working hard, things get back to good ways.
“It’s a perfect game against Liverpool, a perfect derby, and we have to build up for it.”
Pereira was born in Belgium and plays for Brazil, but he was reared in the United academy and knows how important beating Liverpool is for everyone connected to the club.
“I think you can compare it with Boca Juniors-River Plate, Santos-Corinthians, Flamengo-Fluminense,“he added.
“It’s one of the biggest derbies like El Clasico – Real Madrid versus Barcelona – and one of the biggest games, not only in England but in the world.
“Everyone will be watching and it’s most important for us, and for the fans.
“I always watched these games at home with my dad and my family. You know, I was always very curious and ended up supporting United.
“It means a lot to us. It’s one of the most important games of the year – it’s the derby and we absolutely want to win.
“We will do absolutely everything to win it. I know we’re not living the best moment right now, and we’re not getting results, but I think it’s a derby and it is always a different game.
“Absolutely, we want to win it – everyone at the club, everyone in the team and the staff. We all want to do everything to win the game and it can be a nice bounce back and provide a nice lift for us to start getting results.”
Under-fire United manager Solskjaer insists the job is not too big for him.
The rivals could hardly be in more contrasting states, with Solskjaer’s side desperate to kick-start their ailing season, but the United manager is sure he will turn things around.
“No, I’ve never felt it’s too big for me,” he said.
“I’m confident in what we’re trying to do and I’m confident in my staff – the coaching and what’s happening here every single day, I’ve been impressed.”
Letting the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez go for the benefit of the squad has certainly left them light in attack, with injuries compounding matters ahead of his players’ chance to “get in the history books”.
Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could return today, but Paul Pogba is out and David de Gea is expected to join him on the sidelines. Question marks also hang over the likes of Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Mason Greenwood.
“Of course, I would like to tell you positive news, hopefully… we’ll see who’s come through training,” added Solskjaer.
“Because there’s players here who have just started training, just on the verge of coming back or not so I can’t really say.”
Asked what the scan on de Gea came back with, he said: “I don’t expect him to play.” As for Pogba, he has been doing warm-weather training in Dubai as he bids to return from a nagging ankle injury – although the trip has increased speculation about his future.
Talk has been rife about the France international since admitting his openness to leaving in the summer, while the publication of a photo of him with Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane in Dubai has set tongues wagging.