Manchester United were the third team of last years top four to crash out of the League Cup on Wednesday. This followed Arsenal’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea suffering yet another loss as they failed to get passed Stoke City on penalties.
United drew 0-0 in normal time with Championship promotion chasers Middlesborough but couldn’t overcome their opponents as they went out 3-1 on a penalty shoot-out.
However, one player who stood out as Louis Van Gaal shuffled his pack from the draw with rivals Manchester City was Brazilian youngster Andreas Pereira.
The Brazilian youth international was one of three players including James Wilson and Jesse Lingered who have come through the ranks at Old Trafford to start against Aitor Karanka’s Boro.
The 19 year old"s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed during his fleeting performances in the United first team and with both Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay toiling it could be the opportunity Pereira needs to announce himself on a bigger stage.
The teen played the full ninety minutes on Wednesday and demonstrated why he is so highly rated – also dispatching his sides only penalty.
Last month Van Gaal revealed what Pereira must do to earn himself a more permanent role in the first team as players like he, Lingard and Wilson look to force their way into the reckoning.
“He can play in the no.7, 10 and 11 positions. [Jesse] Lingard can also play no.7, 10 and 11. I have multi-functional players but they have to compete with other players.
“It is dependable on the level of the players. I always put the best player in the line-up when he is working for the team."
This clearly shows the United hierachy believe Pereira has the potential to become a long-term fixture in the United starting eleven but he must keep on developing and learning to add consistency to his game. United traditionally are expected to challenge on all four fronts when it comes to trophies and Van Gaal will expect his players to be able to replicate their form over a sustained period.
There is no doubting the Pereira who joined the Manchester club in 2011 has the essential tools but with the more senior Juan Mata, Depay and captain Rooney also vying for places it will take a bold move to see him usurp this trio.
Nonetheless, 19 year old Anthony Martial looks to be the only player who can make something out of nothing at the moment for United. This suggests it may need an injection of youthful dynamism to provide a moment of unexpected genius to take this ever-improving side under Van Gaal to the next level.
