Manchester United have signed two great footballers, says Joel Pereira

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Former Manchester United back-up goalkeeper Joel Pereira has said he believes the club’s two signings from the Eredivisie will be a big hit.

Pereira left United on a free in 2021 and signed with Eredivisie side RKC Waalwijk. And so he has seen former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag first hand, and his new additions, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez.

Speaking to Football Oranje, Pereira said he wants to see Manchester United get back to the levels the club once competed at.

He said: “Erik ten Hag is a fantastic manager. I want to see Manchester United succeed and get back to the best level, the level they deserve, fighting for a title every year, I just hope they players he brought in, they can perform as well as they did in the Eredivisie. I was able to watch them and I think it was two great players, big talents, great footballers.”

READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23

Pereira’s difficult start in the Eredivisie

Pereira went straight into RKC Waalwijk’s line-up last summer, after specifically seeking out a club where he could start.

But then disaster struck as he suffered an injury which kept him on the sidelines for seven months, after playing just two matches.

He explained: “What I wanted to do after United was to go and play football and RKC showed the biggest interest for me to be number one. 

“I had other options, bigger clubs, but they were not promising that. I just wanted to play football and show myself.”

Now after missing the bulk of his first season, Pereira is in the dark whether he will start this season, commenting: “Now it is a total different situation. The decision is up to the manager.”

The goalkeeper was tipped for big success under former manager Jose Mourinho, but his promising career stagnated on loan.

Three years on loan in Belgium, Portugal, Scotland and England’s Championship saw his development slow down, and his release last summer was inevitable.

He looked to have a fresh start last summer, before injury struck. Now he hopes 2022/23 will provide better luck – just like Manchester United.