Joel Castro Pereira has left Manchester United for Rochdale on a short-term loan deal.
The Portuguese, who has played for the U19s at international level, has been a regular in the U21 side, playing 9 times in the 2014/15 season and is highly regarded by the club – this is perhaps why he initial loan is just for a month.
Pereira signed for Manchester United in 2012 after impressing on trial at the club and Rochdale manager Keith Hill said of the move:
“I’m really pleased to be working with him. He’s an exciting goalkeeper. His distribution is flamboyant and his ability in goal is absolutely magnificent.”
A glowing reference and encouraging stuff for Manchester United fans who will be looking to the longer-term with some trepidation, despite David de Gea recently signing a new 4 year contract.
Because, when asked about a release clause in his new contract last week, the Manchester United player of the year was coy. He said:
“You should ask Jorge [Mendes, De Gea’s agent] that question,” the keeper said.
“He is the one who pays attention to those sort of details.”
At just 19 Pereira won’t be expected to fill De Gea’s boots for some time.
But let’s not forget that the Spaniard was only 20 when he joined the club as a first choice keeper. And the Manchester United starlet does look similar to De Gea in style.
