Surajit Das
Transfer News: Flamengo manager gives verdict on the future of Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira
While speaking in an interview as quoted by Lance, Dorival Junior, the manager of Flamengo, has stated that he intends to keep Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira in his squad permanently.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the 26-year-old fell down the pecking order at Old Trafford and was loaned to Lazio for 2020-21 before moving to the Brazilian top division.
Pereira has rapidly established himself as a regular for Flamengo, making 49 appearances in all competitions for the Serie A club, scoring seven goals and giving three assists. However, the midfielder has had a more difficult experience with Flamengo in 2022, which has raised questions about a permanent agreement.
Flamengo are said to have the option to acquire Pereira for €10.5million (£8.9 million), but the former PSV Eindhoven teenager will return to Old Trafford next month.
Flamengo boss Junior, on the other hand, wants to keep Pereira on a permanent deal, noting that players with his “growth potential” are “scarce” in Brazil right now.
“It’s just an opinion. I hope he stays. Players of this level, players with this potential, are few in Brazil. I have no doubt that this boy can still grow a lot, he can evolve a lot. How will it happen? I don’t know, but it would be really nice if we could hold onto this kid because he has a lot of qualities.”
Pereira has been with Manchester United for over ten years, but he has only made 75 senior appearances in that time, scoring four goals and assisting five times.
The Brazilian has one major trophy at Old Trafford, the FA Cup, which he won in 2015-16, as well as three Under-21 Premier League titles in 2013, 2015, and 2016.
If Flamengo opt against a permanent deal, new manager Erik ten Hag could give Pereira a lifeline in Manchester, although the club is still thought to be willing to sell the midfielder for the appropriate price.
Ten Hag has already said his goodbyes to a number of players ahead of his debut season in charge, including Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, and Paul Pogba. Replacing them all at once might be time-consuming and costly.
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As a result, Pereira may have a role at United if he can live up to ten Hag’s expectations, as the two had previously worked together at PSV Eindhoven. If he returns to Old Trafford then his performance In the forthcoming pre-season friendly will be intriguing to see as it would determine whether the South American can rescue his time in Manchester by repeating his form from last season.
