Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, who is on loan with Valencia, has spelt out his take on the current state of affairs with the Spanish club. The midfielder has admitted that he would rather see out the season-long loan than return to United in January.
Pereira is widely regarded as one of the most talented young players within United ranks. After getting frustrated with lack of game time under Louis van Gaal, it was expected that he would get more first-team action under Jose Mourinho.
That wasn’t to be, and Pereira remained on the fringes of first-team action. The Brazilian joined the La Liga side on the deadline day this summer, much against the wishes of his gaffer. Jose wanted Pereira to stay back and fight for his place at Old Trafford.
However, Pereira felt that his game time would be better at Valencia considering the long list of suitors for his first-team place at Man United. But, as luck would have it, injuries to Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, and Paul Pogba has meant that we’ve been stretched at times.
Scott McTominay has grabbed his chance in the wake of Pereira’s absence and there were rumours that the young Brazilian would be recalled in January. But, the midfielder has no such ideas and says that he would spend the season at Valencia than coming back to United midway through his job.
“In my head I want to be here, help Valencia until June. It is the thought with which I came,” said Pereira.
“I know that I have this clause in the assignment contract and now I have to wait to see. But my mind is focused on Valencia and I want to stay here.
“It is important that I am playing to grow, be better and help Valencia. It would be very difficult to return to United mid-year and continue with the same evolution that I’m having now.”
The 21-year-old signed a one-year contract extension with the Red Devils shortly after arriving at Valencia in the summer. He is tied to the club until June 2019 and his current loan deal runs until June 2018, although the Red Devils have an option to recall.
Pereira was on loan last season with Granada and impressed for the side scoring 5 goals and setting up 3 more in 34 La Liga appearances. However, the Andalusian side finished at bottom of the standings and were relegated from La Liga.
The Brazilian is widely regarded by many as a future talent. Let’s hope his decision to stay back improves his football education and brings him back to Old Trafford as a complete player.
