It has been two years since Manchester United academy graduate Andreas Pereira left to join Fulham.
The Brazilian midfielder spent seven years in and around the Manchester United first team after making his Premier League debut in 2015.
Andreas Pereira made a total of 75 senior appearances during his time with United, but he left Manchester in 2022 to join Fulham in a £10m move.
He left Old Trafford to pursue regular first-team football and found it at Fulham, where he has already made 91 appearances and earned himself a spot in the Brazil national team.
Bruno Fernandes played his part in Pereira’s exit – the Portuguese star has been everpresent in the No.10 position since joining United, which simply left no space for Pereira as a starter.
Since his United exit, Pereira believes leaving was the “best decision” of his career.
Andreas Pereira criticises Man United handling of youth players
Pereira had shown glimpses of real promise during his short cameos in the first team, and United fans will remember him lighting up pre-season tours with wonder goals.
However, Pereira never quite made his way into the side as a starter, and he has now criticised United for their “lack of affection”.
In an interview with Premier League Brasil, Pereira said: “Definitely (there was a lack of affection from Manchester United).
“I spent a long time there, I arrived when I was 16 and left when I was 26. I really felt a bit of a lack of affection, of being able to play in my position and really show why I was at Manchester United.”
It seems a harsh criticism given that United have had huge success in bringing youth players through in recent years. The likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are both academy graduates who have cemented a first-team spot.
Not only was Pereira not happy with how his career was handled at United, but he also named three former teammates who he believes should have been given more chances.
Andreas Pereira says Man United academy trio deserved more chances
Pereira is not the first promising player from United’s academy who left in pursuit of more regular game time.
United’s former midfielder has accused the club of “discarding” young players without giving them enough opportunities.
In the same interview, Pereira said: ” I think that, in certain signings, the club could have trusted more in the youth players.
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“In me, Angel (Gomes), McTominay, Lingard, these players. They even play well, but then, at the first opportunity the club gets, they discard them.”
The sale of Angel Gomes may be one that United look back on with regret, but it is not fair to say that Scott McTominay and Jesse Lingard were not given enough opportunities before their exits.
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