Manchester United are in the race for FC Porto fullback, Ricardo Pereira but face the danger of losing him to Arsenal. Jose Mourinho and his team have been on the lookout for a fullback addition for the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign. Obviously, the summer window will be targetted with a few candidates in mind and Pereira should be on the top of the shortlist.
The 24-year-old has been impressive this season over the 43 games he has appeared in while registering 2 goals and 6 assists. His development at Ligue 1 outfit, OGC Nice has gone according to plan and has cemented his spot in the starting lineup at Porto.
Pereira started his playing career with Vitória S.C. but spent his primary years with hometown club, C.F. Benfica. He appeared in 38 games for the Guimarães-based outfit and made his first team debut on 1 April 2012 in the 3-1 home win against FC Pacos de Ferreira.
He later agreed to sign with Porto along with his teammates Tiago Rodrigues before the end of the 2012/13 season. Pereira did have to surpass the challenges of a title-challenging Portuguese outfit and was constantly shifted around the club’s first and second teams.
He made 18 appearances for the B side and was sent out on loan to France. Pereira is also a Portuguese international, having been capped 3 times for the senior team and 38 times for the youth sides.
He is expected to travel to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, especially since Barcelona’s Nelson Semedo is no longer being considered for regular games. Pereira has been key to his team’s defensive setup and has helped the side to the top of the Primeira Liga.
Bringing him in would be an ideal approach for the Red Devils especially with Mourinho at the helm. The Portuguese tactician could vet his compatriot into the United system and name him to be the long-term successor of Antonio Valencia.
The latter has looked to be out of steam this season with no able replacements behind him. Mourinho has completely discounted the talents of 28-year-old Matteo Darmian and has banished him from the squad. He even has followed Jesse Lingard to drop down to the right-back role during pressure situations within a game instead of choosing the out-of-favour Italian.
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Valencia is 32 now and might not have the legs to carry out 40 games in England’s top-flight. Signing Pereira would be the right move for an improved 2018/19 campaign.
