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22nd Aug 2017

Jose Mourinho blocks Andreas Pereira’s loan move to Spain

The 21-year-old earned rave reviews earlier this summer

Simon Lloyd

Those paying close attention to Manchester United’s preseason tour earlier this summer might have felt that Andreas Pereira had done enough to force himself into Jose Mourinho’s first team plans for the season ahead.

The Belgium-born Brazilian, 21, impressed plenty of the club’s supporters with his displays on their US tour, prompting some to suggest it was a matter of time before he was playing regularly for United in the Premier League.

Two games in to the new campaign and Pereira is yet to feature – enough for some to speculate the player could be set for a move away from the club. Having spent last season on loan with Granada in La Liga, some reports have claimed that Pereira had agreed another season-long deal in Spain, this time with Valencia.

However, it’s now believed that Jose Mourinho has blocked the move, with reports claiming that the United boss does intend to play the youngster – and other members of his squad – when League Cup and Champions League campaigns begin in a matter of weeks.

Numerous reports have claimed that Pereira is concerned about what another season without regular first-team football might do for his development, but Mourinho is believed to be keen for him to stay with United. If a loan move is to be agreed, ESPN report that it is more likely that the midfielder will remain within the Premier League instead of returning to Spain for the season.