da wazamba： As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure at Manchester United approached its first anniversary Andreas Pereira was asked earlier this month about the boss who has repeatedly shown faith in him.
da bwin： “We’re very direct and I think he has a massive part in that. Hopefully we can keep that going and he can stay for many more years,” the 23-year-old midfielder said.
It is wholly unsurprising that the Brazilian international is so keen for Solskjaer to remain in charge at Old Trafford given the minutes and opportunities he has been given under him.
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Prior to his arrival the Under 21 Player of the Year in 2015 had seen just 249 minutes of Premier League action under four different managers that included Sir Alex Ferguson, who signed the precocious 15-year-old from PSV in 2011. This season however he has enjoyed 1311 minutes of game-time, employed and trusted in numerous roles across United’s midfield.
Assessing what he has done with those minutes however brings serious doubts as to whether the player born and raised in Belgium is the long-term answer in any of those roles. Pereira has shown glimpses of the impish imagination we all know he has but far too often poor decision-making and wayward passes have been the dominant theme. At other times he has been anonymous; a creative outlet with scant creativity.
As the tail-end of last term led into a second underwhelming season for the former prodigy, this has created discontent and distrust building among the United faithful.
It really wasn’t supposed to come to this. From being a hyped youngster also wanted by Chelsea and Liverpool to tearing it up for the under 23s with 10 goals and seven assists from midfield in 47 outings, Pereira had long been whispered about as the next break-out star from United’s famed academy.
A season-long loan spell at Granada was a success as he contributed to eight La Liga goals, which was later followed by a stint with Valencia. Surely by now he was primed and ready to deliver for his parent club.
Two years on and that question remains pertinent but evidently he is still not ready considering his hit-and-miss performances and at 23, the chances of him fulfilling his potential seem to be growing slimmer by the season.
From the aforementioned 1311 minutes he has scored once and assisted once, and that doesn’t cut it in a side whose remit is to attack, especially at home and especially when he’s been afforded game-time as a winger and a No.10. When deployed deeper alongside fellow Brazil star Fred meanwhile he has been nothing but lacklustre.
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Against Colchester in the Carabao Cup last week Pereira put on a show. His passing was excellent. He schemed and delighted. But for a club of United’s stature, the odd influential display here and there is not enough. They need players performing week in, week out.
When his promise and undoubted talent are factored in, it amounts to too little, too late. Opportunities have been copiously afforded, yet we’re still waiting for Pereira to come good.