Manchester United currently find themselves in a concerning situation. The Red Devils are not expected to challenge for major silverware this season, as they did not make sufficient summer signings to strengthen the team.
The three recruits who arrived at Old Trafford during the summer were Diego Dalot, Lee Grant and Fred. Of the three, Fred is the only one who is likely to feature regularly for the first-team. Dalot is still very young and inexperienced and is likely to serve as a squad rotation player. Grant was brought in to serve as a third-choice keeper and add to the number of home-grown players within the United squad.
There were reportedly a number of players whom Mourinho had hoped to lure during the summer transfer window. However, United chief Ed Woodward was not happy with Mourinho’s wish-list and blocked the club from pursuing deals for them.
To make matters worse, Jose Mourinho is said to not be on good terms with both Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial, and this could affect squad chemistry.
After claiming a hard-fought victory over Leicester City to open their season, United suffered a humiliating 3-2 defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend. Brighton were largely the better side and fully deserved the three points.
One man who has been introduced to the United first-team this season, following an impressive pre-season, is Andreas Pereira.
Pereira arrived at United as a youth player from PSV in 2011. The 22-year-old is new to the Manchester United first-team but is relatively experienced for someone of his age, having had loan stints with Granada and Valencia in Spain.
While Mourinho has been attracting negative publicity during recent weeks, Pereira has painted a more harmonious picture.
“We rely on him because he always prepares the team well, he knows what to do,” Pereira said in an interview with the Premier League as reported by The Express.
“He’s a winner, and he always wants to win so because he’s like that we turn into that, and we want to be like him.
“So we turn into winners as well, it’s very important.
“When I’m here back now he helped me with everything, he tells me what to do, he tells me what not to do, so I am very happy that he helps me and he gives this opportunity.”
