Manchester United fans would of course like to see an unlikely push for the title this season. But, in reality, they will enjoy their summer hugely if the club stays in the top four and spends the summer buying top stars, as Louis continues to work his magic at the club.
But another potential sour note this summer could be the departure of Andreas Pereira. There is little doubt that he is at the right club and working under a manager who likes nothing more than to give youth a chance. But there remains a feeling of anxiety around Manchester United that they could be about to see another Pogbaesque episode.
Because, make no mistake, if he keeps his head down Pereira can become a great. He has amazing natural talent twinned with a really good football brain. Many footballers have one or the other, but this lad appears to have both.
But Manchester United are unwilling to be bent over a barrel and spanked red raw by the wage demands of a player who has only made the first team bench a couple of times.
And this current impasse – Pereira’s contract expires in a matter of months – has reportedly piqued the interest of PSG. The Manchester Evening News reports:
Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to pay Andreas Pereira more than triple what Manchester United have offered the Brazilian Under-20 international.
Pereira, 19, is out of contract at Old Trafford in the summer and it is understood United have offered the Belgian-born forward a £6,000-a-week deal.
Ligue 1 champions PSG, however, have told Pereira’s representatives he could earn close to €30,000 in France if he joins the Champions League quarter-finalists.
30,000 Euro is a lot of money – by some outrageous media estimations, that equates to at least 2 more sessions per week with Paddy McNair than Manchester United are currently offering.
Seriously though, it would be very painful indeed if another of the fruits of Manchester United’s labour was allowed to develop elsewhere. United need to show some seriously good diplomacy to get this lad signed up long-term – we might be tempted to ask David Gill or King Fergie to step in for old time’s sake – because Pereira, James Wilson and Adnan Januzaj, would represent a wonderful future for the club.
Let’s see some Pereira magic.
