The financial uncertainty that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought means that the clubs would have to generate funds by getting rid of a player in order to rope in another transfer target. Manchester United are also facing the same fate, and now there are reports that the Red Devils need to sell Andreas Pereira to bring in Donny van de Beek to the squad.
The Mirror are reporting that the Manchester club are willing to let go of the Brazilian midfielder in favour of the Ajax man. The prolific performances of the Dutch international for his side have convinced the United ranks that it would be a wise move on their part. The report also states that van de Beek would cost around £44 million and thus Man United need to raise the money for him.
Andreas Pereira’s performance this season
United have Paul Pogba in their ranks, and the club was assured that the high money purchase from Juventus would not let them down. However, the French star has not performed to the expectations and been riddled with injury troubles throughout the length of the season.
In this scenario, the onus was upon Scott McTominay to rise to the occasion and not let the manager feel the absence of Pogba. However, the 23-year-old had also suffered an injury this season, thereby limiting the options at the gaffer’s disposal. This is where Ole decided to field Pereira in the first team, and so far the Brazilian has not impressed the supporters much.
This season, he has played 23 matches in the league, scoring one goal in the process. The surprise is that the Norwegian manager has fielded him mostly in the attacking midfield position, although it is not the best place for him. Pereira is more comfortable operating at the centre of the pitch and the fact that he has completed only 77.6% of his total passes this term is proof of that.
The creativity of the United youth product should be a subject of discussion, and the statistics also validates that point. Playing at an advanced position, one would expect him to return with better figures than 0.8 dribbles, 1.3 key passes and 1.6 shots on average per game in the Premier League. If Manchester United are to challenge the likes of Liverpool and City for the title, one of their midfielders should return with better figures than that. It is also to be noted that his defensive contributions have been nothing to talk about and if not for the injuries of their star players, Ole would have opted for better footballers.
Should United offload him?
The Old Trafford faithful would like to believe that the club do not have to undergo similar fate with injuries next season. The key players missing out have hurt the side this term, and for the very same reason, United should be incentivised to sort out the future of Pogba in the off-season. Moreover, the club are looking to bring in reinforcements in the midfield which is likely to solve their problem. Pereira has not justified his inclusion enough in the side, and if the club are to aim higher, then players like Pereira have no place in the squad.
Stats from Whoscored.
