Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira has quickly had some opportunities to play for Flamengo, where he’s made three appearances so far.
It wasn’t very clear where the 25-year-old would find a place in a team full of great players, but manager Renato Portaluppi soon lined him up in a midfield duo, where things have been going well.
Now in a press conference, the coach made some comments about the signing and how they worked to find Pereira his best position.
“He’s versatile, he’s a player I talked to even before I arrived at Flamengo,” said Portaluppi (via Lance).
“He’s a player who has been tested in various positions for his quality. But he told me that he likes to play as a second defensive midfielder. So, this is where I’ve been putting him, in this position he’s been helping us, he’s been playing well.
“He’s playing in his position, in the position he likes. He’s a player who knows how to defend, knows how to attack too, he has the quality to do so. That’s what I said, he is a player who is above average. Without a doubt, it was a great signing for Flamengo.”
In July, when working on his Manchester United exit, Andreas Pereira spoke to Brazilian outlet TNT Sports and claimed he deserved more chances at the club. It turns out that when quizzed about his favourite position, he said he’s an advanced midfielder.
“I’m a linking midfielder, a 10 shirt. I like having the ball at my feet, building the team and having the freedom to create. This is my place on the pitch.
“I’ve always worked for the team. With him (Solskjaer) I’ve played everywhere on the pitch and I’ve always done my best. He’s known me for many years and knows very well where I can do more. It’s up to him to give me the freedom to play in my position.”
However, Flamengo’s current squad is full of stars, with the likes of Everton Ribeiro, Di Giorgio Arrascaeta and Bruno Henrique doing an exceptional job behind the striker. That’s why when Pereira completed the move, we said he’d need to play deep to find a place in the team, as it’d be hard to compete with those players.
That’s exactly what the Manchester United player has done, apparently telling the manager that’s where he wanted to play anyway.
