Manchester United playmaker Andreas Pereira prefers joining Flamengo permanently over a move to Fulham or Crystal Palace.
Andreas Pereira’s time with Manchester United seems to be coming to an end after ten years. The Brazilian midfielder joined the Red Devils in 2012 from PSV Eindhoven and made his first-team debut for them in the 2014/15 season.
However, Pereira could never cement a starting spot at the club and was sent on the first of his four loan moves to Granada, for whom he made 37 appearances across competitions and contributed five goals and three assists. A loan spell with Valencia followed, where he played 23 league matches to get a goal and four assists.
Upon his return from La Liga, Pereira found a more consistent run in the first team, making 40 league appearances across two seasons for the Red Devils. But he failed to impress, and Manchester United sent him on a loan again, this time to the Serie A with Lazio before Flamengo came calling, where he has now spent a season and a half.
The 26-year-old is set to return to Manchester United and has just a year remaining on his current contract, with potential suitors starting to line up for his signature. Fulham and Crystal Palace are said to be interested, with the Cottagers having agreed on a deal for the Brazilian playmaker already with Manchester United.
But Pereira has his heart set on joining Flamengo permanently. In 51 appearances for the Brazilian club, he has scored seven goals and provided three assists. And Pereira hopes to return to the club in the future if a move does not materialise this summer.
“I’m not the one who decides – it’s up to Man United,” Pereira said as per Goal, before continuing, “I would like to stay at Flamengo, but it’s not in my hands. I’ll see what’s best for me and the club. I love Flamengo. We will soon speak and decide.”
“The relationship between myself and Flamengo has always been very good. This year was incredible for me. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll always leave with my head held high. I love the club, I love Flamengo, I’m Flamengo. If I leave, I will come back in the future.”
It will be interesting to see what Manchester United decide to do with Pereira. With a deal with Fulham already agreed, Flamengo will have an uphill task to take the Brazilian international back to his homeland this summer.