Andreas Pereira was handed his first Serie A start for Lazio on Sunday.
The United midfielder signed for the Italian side on loan late in the transfer window after being deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
After coming off the bench in midweek in the Champions League, Pereira did enough to earn start for Lazio away to Torino.
It went pretty well too. Pereira broke the deadlock after 15 minutes to put Lazio 1-0 up in what would turn out to be a dramatic game.
His goal was smartly taken, scored from near the penalty spot after he found space unmarked from a cutback. Pereira took one touch, then swept the ball into the bottom corner.
This was about as good as it got for Pereira, who was booked later in the half and then substituted at the break.
Manager Simone Inzaghi hinted the change was tactical, telling TMW: “I am satisfied with Pereira.”
The goal was one of two shots Pereira had. He touched the ball 26 times in 45 minutes before being withdrawn.
He can be encouraged
If Pereira was still at Manchester United then the chances are he would not even have made the bench this weekend.
So he is in a good place, at a club where he has a chance to play regular football.
This goal means he has already equalled his tally for United last season, with his only strike being a deflected effort against Brighton 12 months ago.
Pereira watched on as Lazio won the game 4-3, with two goals in injury time.
Next up for him are matches against Zenit in the Champions League and then Juventus next weekend.
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