Jose Mourinho has publicly criticised midfielder Andreas Pereira for his decision to move to Valencia on a season-long loan.
On the transfer deadline day for Spanish clubs, Pereira’s switch to La Liga for the season was confirmed and the Manchester United manager was not a fan of the move.
Pereira had figured quite quite a bit for the Red Devils in pre-season and it appeared as though the 21-year-old would stay at Old Trafford and compete for a place in Mourinho’s team in the current campaign, having spent the last term on loan at Granada.
The Brazil U23 international shocked many supporters by deciding to spend a second consecutive season out on loan in La Liga.
And Mourinho was just as nonplussed by the choice.
“Andreas Pereira was a personal decision that I don’t agree with,” Mourinho said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “A decision I don’t think honestly I don’t think is the best decision for him, a decision that disappoints me a little bit, because I think he has the potential to be here fighting for a position, for opportunities, and fighting to be a Manchester United player.
“I think his decision can be considered a decision of a young player who wants to play every weekend but can also be considered a decision by a young player that is not ready to fight for something difficult and it’s difficult to play in the Manchester United midfield.
“You have to be ready to fight for a position and I am a bit disappointed that he left. But okay, it was his decision, I open the door for his decision, he has a long-term contract, we have the option to bring him back on January 1, so we have that situation under control. It is not a drama but is a decision that disappoints me a little bit.”
Earlier this week, Pereira spoke about what made him agree to the switch and revealed that Juan Mata helped him make up his mind.
“Mata spoke to me very well about Valencia,” Pereira told El Desmarque. “He told me that it is a great club and that it is a very good city. He also told me that the fans are very good.
“He told me that it would be good for me to play here. Now I want to prove it on the pitch.”
