At his weekly news conference last Friday, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said he was disappointed by the decision of Andreas Pereira to go out on loan to Valencia. Mourinho said that Pereira didn’t really have the fight to stay and try to earn a place in United’s crowded and deep midfield.
Mourinho also kept the door open for the Belgian international to return come the new year.
Today Pereira, speaking to Marca, hit back and Mourinho’s criticisms, and claimed that he made the right decision by returning to La Liga, where he also spent last season on loan with Granada.
“It was difficult because they wanted me to stay in Manchester, but for me individually and for the options to play it was better to be here. Because it was better to come to Valencia to play games and help, because at Manchester I had little chance,” Pereira said.
“On the one hand I’m happy because he loves me and I think that if I’m not a good player, I would not have wanted to stay. So I think on the bright side. If I thought negative it might hurt, but for me it’s a good thing.”
“I talked to him before coming here and I want to work hard and stay all year. I’m focused here. I want to be here and help the team all year, but I do not know what United wants in the future.”
“I want to contribute the best and do the best all year in Valencia,” Pereira concluded.
The Belgian signed with United in November 2011 from PSV Eindhoven. Andreas Pereira has made 13 first team appearances for United (five in league play, three in Europe, two in national cup and three in league cup), scoring one goal.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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