As the great Pele once said, “Brazil eats, sleeps and drinks football. It lives football.” The nation of Brazil have always boasted an impressive record of possessing players of a real high and particular quality, with many of their blessed talents haven graced the Premier League. Through names such as Philippe Coutinho, Robinho and Ramires, the typical quick and skillful outset of Brazilian midfielders have certainly impressed English fans over the last few years, but United themselves have never had so much luck in the Brazilian field. However, there is of course one emerging talent that could break this Brazilian curse, the play-maker that is Andreas Pereira.
The creative midfielder impressed during a loan spell with Spanish side Granada last season, operating on either side of the flanks and also centrally. Through his tenacious and slick style of play, Pereira established himself as one the few highlights of the season for Granada, creating more chances in the League than any other player under the age of 23. Evidently, the Brazilian is a very tidy player on the ball, as he is certainly a midfielder that possesses quality distribution in his locker, predominantly always looking to play the ball forward.
This skill set is certainly something that United fans have been praising during his performances in pre-season, where operating in a deeper role in the midfield, Pereira certainly looked comfortable on the ball and slotted in nicely as part of the central three. Although, to the surprise of some fans, Jose Mourinho opted to play the Brazilian in this deeper role, the arrival of Nemanja Matic does create the proposition of playing Pereira in a more advanced role up the field.
Playing higher up the field certainly looks to be Pereira’s forte, as he certainly isn’t one to shy away from taking the opposition on, being a player that enjoys to showcase his agile and impressive dribbling assets. This creative spark that Pereira possesses could certainly provide as an effective outset for United’s team in the upcoming campaign, especially with the side being solely and heavily reliant on Paul Pogba’s creativity.
Is he preventing further recruits?
As mentioned, with Pereira certainly being a creative and productive midfielder, he could potentially compliment other attacking players such as Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, should he be selected in this midfield three. With other attacking midfielders such as Renato Sanches and previously James Rodriguez being available, some fans have questioned United’s reluctance to pursue these players, but perhaps Pereira’s impressive displays have had a say in this.
Whilst the signing of Nemanja Matic has excited fans, with them picking up upon the idea of the defensive midfielder freeing up Pogba, perhaps the Serbian could also do the same for Pereira. The young Brazilian certainly looks mature and settled on the football field, particularly for somebody at the age of just 21 and maybe the reluctance to recruit another midfielder does in fact stem from Mourinho’s faith in Pereira. The 17/18 season could provide as the pedal stool for the midfielder to flourish on and should he do so, United fans could be witnessing a talent that could embrace and thrive in the Premier League, for the next decade.
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