Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Can Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira reinvent himself as a number six under Jose Mourinho?
Manchester United are by no means short of central attacking midfielders following the recent arrival of Henrihk Mykitaran, yet for Brazilian youngster Andreas Pereira, the move could signal a deeper role into a Reds’ midfield in need of some strengthening.
Pereira caught the eye of many Manchester United supporters following his senior debut against MK Dons in a League Cup defeat that somewhat sealed the fate of former boss Louis Van Gaal early into his tenure.
The 20-year-old Brazilian attacking midfielder continued to impress and was handed the Under-21 Player of the Year Award in 2014/15, soon after penning a new contract that will see him at the club until 2018.
The following season saw Andreas Pereira net twice for the senior squad – coming in United’s pre-season tour of the United States, and 3-0 home win in the third round of another unsuccessful Capital One Cup campaign against Ipswich Town.
The Belgian-born number 10 was selected by Louis Van Gaal during the early stages of the 2015/16 Premier League campaign to implement an attacking vision that seemed invariably distant throughout United’s squad, further
pressured by increasingly angered chants by the Old Trafford faithful.
Jose Mourinho displayed no intention of relieving Pereira of his senior squad role, despite numerous big-money transfers already taking place at Old Trafford, and was quick to include the Brazilian in the Reds’ initial pre-season friendly against Wigan.
The youngster’s inclusion did not disappoint his newly appointed Portuguese manager, after he cemented United’s victory with a wonderful edge-of-the-box strike in a 2-0 away win at the DW Stadium.
However, fans were left questioning the Special One’s tactics during the pre-season victory as the 20-year-old was seen to replace Michael Carrick to slot into a holding number six position in the Manchester United midfield.
Although the former PSV Eindhoven player has consistently occupied a central role behind his team’s forwards during his time both impressing in the youth and Under-21 leagues, as well as his senior appearances. His confidence on the ball and vision to produce clinical passes could see him fit the mould for Mourinho’s ball-playing midfielder alongside Ander Herrera.
Boasting an 85.7% passing accuracy throughout his recorded senior appearances, Andreas Pereira has showcased essential ball-playing traits similar to that of Cesc Fabregas, who likewise contributes towards his clubs’ goal tally.
With Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata becoming increasingly inconsistent in converting direct free-kicks, the South American starlet offers a further dynamic in the United midfield with an efficient dead-spot record – that is if charismatic new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic steps out of his way.
However, Pereira’s holding-midfield position is unsurprisingly under threat from arguably Mourinho’s fourth specialist signing, Paul Pogba. The pair spent only a year together within the Manchester United youth academy, before the Frenchman moved to Juventus on a free transfer to further his career.
Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and the experience of Michael Carrick also mark a blotch on the potential solidity of the Brazilian midfielders’ position, with all three set to play their own role in the precise tactics that Jose Mourinho will
hope to employ in a bid for the 2016/17 Premier League title.
Whether Andreas Pereira is deployed within the senior squad, in a holding or attacking central role, it is certain that the 20-year-old Brazilian has showcased the potential to become a versatile midfield player at Old Trafford in years to come.
The starlet’s vision, agility and fast-paced distribution between midfield and attack are sure to restore the historic United playing style that the club’s supporters expect.
Featured Image: All rights reserved by