Last summer, many Manchester United fans expected 2017/18 to be the season Andreas Pereira established himself as a first team regular at Old Trafford.
The Belgium-born Brazilian has impressed in recent years in United’s youth and reserve sides, so much so that he was given his bow in the senior side by Louis Van Gaal in 2014/15.
Following the arrival of Jose Mourinho at United 18 months ago, Pereira was loaned to Spain, spending last season playing regularly for Granada in La Liga. With a season of first team football under his belt, it seemed certain that Pereira would be given ample opportunities for United during the new campaign.
This, however, has proved not to be the case. Although Mourinho is thought to have told the player to be patient and wait for his chances, Pereira opted to complete a second season-long loan spell in Spain – this time with Valencia.
Had he stayed put in Manchester, there’s every chance he would have been an important player for Mourinho. With Paul Pogba missing large chunks of the season through injury and suspension, United have looked a midfielder or two light at times. It’s even been enough for some reports to suggest that United might be tempted to recall Pereira in January.
According to a report in Spain on Friday, however, this isn’t likely to happen.
AS (via Sport Witness) claim that – despite failing to set the world alight in Valencia – Pereira would prefer to stay at the club this winter instead of returning to Old Trafford. They claim the player is comfortable in Spain and ‘doesn’t even want to hear’ talk of Mourinho recalling him.
If accurate, this might not bode well for Pereira’s long-term future at United.
