Andreas Pereira has stated that he is “ready” to play for Manchester United’s first team following his season-long loan in La Liga.
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder played for Granada who were relegated from the Spanish top-flight with former Arsenal defender Tony Adams taking charge of the club towards the back end of the campaign.
Brazil-born Pereira regularly featured for the Spanish club, playing 35 league matches, scoring five goals added with his three assists.
Pereira, who has made 13 senior appearances for United, has come through the academy at Old Trafford and he is clearly eager to add more games to his name.
“I think I’m ready now,” Pereira told the club’s official website. “I have played over 2,000 minutes now in men’s football, in La Liga, and I did quite well. I feel I’m ready, more than ready, to play men’s football now.
“I am more mature as well, physically and mentally, and I am ready to come back and hopefully push to play next season for United.”
Jose Mourinho’s United won two trophies during the recently concluded season. They lifted the Europa League by beating Ajax and won the League Cup against Southampton in February.
Despite finishing outside of the top four, United have granted themselves an automatic place in next season’s Champions League because of their Europa League triumph.
Nonetheless, Pereira will find it difficult to break into the senior side with the likes of Jese Lingard, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial playing ahead of him.
It is more likely that the United youngster will be given the chance to play in the cup matches for Mourinho, especially considering he will have to deal with playing in Europe in midweek.