Pereira was the only academy graduate Manager Louis Van Gaal included in the starting line up but justified his place with a well take free kick to double United’s lead just after the hour.
The Brazilian himself said;
”I asked Juan (Mata) for the ball and he gave it to me. We work on it at the training ground and he trusted me,”
Pereira’s only other two appearances for the first team came as a substitute including the clubs 4-0 loss to MK Dons in the same competition last year.
‘It is a relief for me that all the work I have put in has paid off. It was like a dream come true to score my first goal, a free-kick at the Stretford End as well.
‘I want to keep progressing now. Last season was not so good when we went out at MK Dons but this is special.
‘It helped that I have played at Old Trafford before (in reserve games) but it was different also with a big crowd there.’
This performance from the 19 year old Belgium-born Brazilian should give great encouragement to Van Gaal that he has progressed sufficiently to be included in the first team more often and who knows, Manchester United’s next talisman may have just fully announced himself.
