Manchester United are off to a flier in the new Premier League campaign as they handed West Ham United a lesson at Old Trafford on Sunday. But Jose Mourinho does not seem too happy with the squad he has at his disposal and is looking to spend on a couple of new players, who can add quality and depth to an already strong lineup this summer.
So it does not come as a surprise that he is looking at some of the best players in Europe and one name extensively linked with a move to the club is Portuguese star, Ricardo Pereira.
According to reports from the Sun, Manchester United are among several clubs who sent scouts to keep an eye on FC Porto ace Ricardo Pereira in a recent game on Sunday. The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, RSC Anderlecht and Real Valladolid are all interested in the player. So who is Ricardo Pereira and what will he add to the squad at Old Trafford?
A product of the Sporting academy in Portugal, the Lisbon-born winger cum full-back, got his senior chances at Vitoria but only made a name for himself in the junior side at Porto in a two-year stint that started in 2013. He made his senior debut in 2013 but did not show enough promise to warrant a place in the first team, which saw him go out on loan to French outfit Nice for the last two seasons.
In both those campaigns in Ligue 1, the 23-year old has evolved into a star player in Europe and has established himself as one of the most exciting players in his age group.
Capable of playing as a full-back on either side or even as an attacking winger, Pereira is a dynamic winger with gifted technique and a great understanding of the game. Primarily a right-back, the FC Porto star is strong with hold up play and also in the air and is safe with his defensive duties.
However, he is more effective when busting forward as his pace and skill are too good for even the best of defenders to handle. He is tailor made for the English game and is a player who will thrive under a manager like Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese connection will help but more than that, the 23-year-old solves an impending problem at the club this summer. Antonio Valencia is the skipper of the side and the first choice right-back but he has no real backup except Matteo Darmian, who is far from a preference for Mourinho.
Pereira can slot in as the backup and with four different competitions to balance, will get enough time to show what he is capable of and get acclimatized to the conditions in the country. He is a smart option for Manchester United but is he the right one?
