Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira has revealed that he is determined to play for Santos one day, even if it is much later in his career.
The 24-year-old has spoken previously of a wish to represent the Brazilian club, whose president admitted this month to having contacted the player personally.
Pereira has been at United since 2011 and had been a mainstay in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans this season, making 37 appearances in all competitions before the campaign was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
While he remains keen to stay in Europe for now, with his United contract running until June 2023, Pereira yearns to win trophies with Santos before he retires.
He told Globo Esporte: "My whole family is from Santos. Since I was little, I grew up watching this. I was becoming a player and I always dreamed of playing for Santos, but I went to Manchester.
"I got older, then everyone said, 'Why won't you play for our Santos?' I want to go, but I can't now. I want to play football in Europe, and then I'll go.
"I want to go to Santos to win. I'm not going there to finish and to 'steal' money. I'm going to play well, so people say: 'Remember Andreas at Santos?'"
Pereira was born in Belgium and played for them at youth level before representing Brazil in the Under-20s.
He earned his first senior cap in a friendly against El Salvador in September 2018 but has not made an appearance for the Selecao since.
Pereira says Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has told him he would be welcome to switch allegiances, but the United ace insists he only ever wanted to play for Brazil.
"The Belgium coach spoke to me after I was called up. He asked what the situation was, if there was any chance I could play for Belgium," he said.
"I said that I'm Brazilian at heart, my family is Brazilian. I was born in Belgium but I never intended to play for Belgium. I never thought about that.
"He said that, if I don't feel happy one day, if they treat me in a way I don't like, they will always have open arms."
DonaManU
0
Please Go
A flop is not the meaning of backup !!!
fritzunited
0
Please Go
He must stay he is our big backuo
fritzunited
0
pereira you dont want to play for belgium coz you will never be selected in the team. also plse leave man utd and go to santos or any other team since at man utd you are only a bench warmer.
He played a big role please support him
Faebilrsyz
0
lolololololol reading comments from some jokers make u laugh. This lad is a very good player. watch him closely. instead of slagging off utd plays fcuk off n support someone else. simple...
Vipacdknot
1
pereira you dont want to play for belgium coz you will never be selected in the team. also plse leave man utd and go to santos or any other team since at man utd you are only a bench warmer.
AbasMerc90
0
Plz go other team pereira
MadimetjaSane
0
Man United Legend
nocidrumzs
0
He can be the back up to Fernandez as he has 2 goals and 4 assists, he can if United ate patient with him. These stats are not as bad as he may be going through a bad season, but he us great, he can be a big hit if he is given the time and confidence to claim his preferred position.
very correct there mate...
Ovieski
0
it should be santos giving utd yeferson plus money. Pereira has been playing his trade in europe and that sounds big in the football world.
Yes brother, that's my point
RajuMondal
0
go to --- Napoli/Roma/AC milan
DonaManU
0
Please Go
badcemnrt
0
Pereira should be sold. santos should offer yeferson soteldo plus money 4 pereira.
Jackass
Joel14
2
Pereira should be sold. santos should offer yeferson soteldo plus money 4 pereira.
Joel14
0
Good News, please Manchester United board should not waste any time further on this, just do the swap deal (Money + Player) with Santos and bring in Yeferson Soltedo (the guy who has passion to play for Manchester United) and cool £15...
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it should be santos giving utd yeferson plus money. Pereira has been playing his trade in europe and that sounds big in the football world.
calvinrashy
3
He can be the back up to Fernandez as he has 2 goals and 4 assists, he can if United ate patient with him. These stats are not as bad as he may be going through a bad season, but he us great, he can be a big hit if he is given the time and confidence to claim his preferred position.
Ovieski
5
Good News, please Manchester United board should not waste any time further on this, just do the swap deal (Money + Player) with Santos and bring in Yeferson Soltedo (the guy who has passion to play for Manchester United) and cool £15...
hezbdopty
1
Now please go
20shaltimsina
0
Claude: It’s time to go
vuploruz
0
Paul Ince since the appointment of Ole seems to prove a thorn in the manager's flesh. I thought he will eat humble pie and admit at least Ole favours young and upcoming players and is doing well with the youth. why the sour grapes? Ince ,let the dogs off Ole. join Santos asap
poobckmpsy
0
Congratulations
Bendiga
2
Please go ASAP, a mean u can gooo like rite now