After years of Andreas Pereira lingering on the fringes of the Manchester United squad, this season might finally be the breakthrough one the Brazilian needs to establish himself as a starter.
In a recent interview, Pereira has revealed that Mourinho has given him assurances that he will get his chance in the upcoming season.
"According to the Daily Mail Pereira said: “I told him (Mourinho) that I felt ready to compete, he was happy to hear that and said I would get my chance. Now we will see how it goes in pre-season. Then we are together again, but of course, I hope to convince him.“Breaking through at Manchester United is and remains the big dream. After two good seasons in Spain, I know that I can always go there. Valencia wanted to keep me, but at the moment my goals are in England. I want to make it at Manchester United. At Valencia I have proven that I can participate at the highest level. That’s what I hope to show in Manchester now.”"
The role Pereira could play for Manchester United
The right wing
Ever since Antonio Valencia got converted from a right winger to a fullback, there has been a gaping hole on the right side of attack for United. In recent season’s the void has been filled by Juan Mata, however, the Spaniard’s tendency to cut inside contributes heavily towards United’s severe lack of width on the wings.
Attacking midfield
Another option would be attacking midfield. Mourinho values two things in a midfielder, defensive stability with the willingness to track back and the ‘creative brain’ needed to cause havoc when his teams break on the counter-attack, as United often did last season. Pereira’s time with Valencia last season clearly showed he is capable of playing a disciplined role, occupying a more defensive position on multiple occasions for the Spanish side last term.
Pereira also possesses a natural flair, with his prefered position being in attacking midfield, hence clearly fulfilling Mourinho’s requirements.
Will Mourinho give him a chance?
Mourinho is often criticized for not giving youth a chance, however in recent times he has proven his critics wrong, pointing to the fact that Rashford has played for United in almost every match since Mourinho’s arrival, as well as the fact that Mourinho was the one to hand Alvaro Morata his first-team debut at Real Madrid.
So will Mourinho give Pereira the opportunity to showcase his talents or will he be one of United’s many unfulfilled talents? Whatever Mourinho’s decision, this season will surely be a pivotal one for Pereira, as the Brazilian might seek to prove himself elsewhere if not given the chance by United.