The Brazilian lit up Old Trafford with a stunning goal against Brentford last week, but remains open to leaving Manchester United if his opportunities remain limited
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Andreas Pereira has told Manchester United that he is “ready to play” and is willing to leave the club if opportunities aren’t forthcoming.
The 25-year-old spent last season on-loan with Lazio, a move he has admitted he would have liked to make permanent.
But he has since returned to Old Trafford and has been involved in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pre-season plans.
However, he has now made it abundantly clear that without regular minutes in the Manchester United XI, he will look for a move.
“I’m ready to play, I’m not a boy anymore. I’m a man ready to take responsibility,” he told TNT Sports. “I’m sure that with playing time and continuity as a starter in my position, I can show what I’ve done on base, I can score more goals and give assists.
“A player of my position needs the confidence to play and the freedom to be bold on the field.”
Solskjaer initially made Pereira part of his plans after replacing Jose Mourinho, but he has now told him that it’s his manager’s job to get the best out of him.
“I’ve always worked for the team,” he continued. “With him I’ve played everywhere on the field and I’ve always done my best.
“He’s known me for many years and knows very well where I can earn more. It’s up to him to give me the freedom to play in my position.”
On his preferred position, Pereira confirmed he would like to play as a number 10, the role in which Bruno Fernandes has shone in since signing in January 2020.
Pereira explained: “I’m a liaison midfielder, a 10 shirt. I like having the ball in my foot, building the team and having the freedom to create. This is my place on the field.”
Pereira arguably provided the moment of United’s summer preparations, crashing in a 25-yard volley during the draw with Brentford last week.
He said that goal not only gave him a moment of real joy, but a feeling of “justice” in terms of his desire to be included more in Solskjaer’s team.
“A feeling of joy, of course, but also of justice. When you have time to show that you are capable of being there, of playing at a high level and scoring goals – which I know I can score.
“There were two games with at least one hour in the field. And that reflects on performance.”
As for his United future, Pereira concluded: “In Manchester or elsewhere, the time has come to play, to have at least an hour per game on the field, to have the confidence to play.
“I want to be happy, to feel important.”
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