A Brazilian midfielder is dreaming of playing for Manchester United next season, and everyone is wondering if he could be the next Paul Pogba.
Pereira has been a youth player at United since 2011. Now aged 21, he is ready to make the step up into the first team and follow in the footsteps of Jese Lingard.
Pereira has impressed on loan at Spanish side Granada this season and if United are not willing to give him regular game time, he is likely to have a number of suitors elsewhere.
Mourinho doesn’t have the best record in bringing young players through to the first team, but in Pereira he will want to make sure the club do not make the same expensive mistake that they did with Pogba.
“I’m playing well,” Pereira told ManUtd.com. “I’m trying to do my job and am getting a lot of minutes. For me, it’s been very good playing here at a high level in Spain, in La Liga, every week.
“I get to train and focus hard for the games and, for me, it’s been very good. Unfortunately for the team, it’s been a bit difficult this season but we’re trying to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.”
Pereira added that he has had heard from United whilst on loan: “It was nice to hear from Jose Mourinho and it’s nice that the people at United trust me and I always feel that they are watching. For me, that’s very important. I’m doing my thing here but I’m still a United player.
“[Assistant manager] Rui Faria sometimes sends me messages and asks how it is going. He contacted me to say I scored a good goal and I am happy when I get recognised for doing good things and to know that they’re watching.
Pereira would probably compete with Anthony Martial for the left wing role if he was in the squad next season, but he would also provide much-needed cover in central areas. He could be an attacking substitute to bring on centrally when United are looking to score. He’s known particularly for his dribbling skills and ability to take a set piece and score from distance.
