Man Utd midfielder Andreas Pereira hoping to benefit from youth focus as he looks to cement first-team spot

Opportunity knocks: Andreas Pereira wants to prove himself to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after signing a new contract
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For Andreas Pereira it is a familiar story. Another summer, another chance to make an impression.

To convince the manager he is ready to break through at Manchester United. Except this time, it feels a little different.

The 23-year-old has never been short of confidence or faith in his own ability. He trusts his own mind too.

Two years ago he went against Jose Mourinho’s wishes by pushing for a loan move to Valencia.

He wanted the chance to establish himself in senior football and simply didn’t see that happening in United’s bloated midfield department, which already hosted Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera.

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A year later Pereira was ready to fight for his place following the retirement of Carrick – but still had to contend with the arrival of yet more competition in the form of £52million Fred and Scott McTominay's emergence.

The departures of Fellaini and Herrera have cleared the way to an extent, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pursuit of Sean Longstaff and interest in Bruno Fernandes means the Brazilian still has a fight on his hands to secure regular first-team football.

Yet there is a different feel about United under Solskjaer. There is a determination to freshen up a squad that looked both physically and stylistically tired last season.

Solskjaer wants the energy and enthusiasm of youth to reinvigorate the club – hence the signings of the unproven, but hugely promising, Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer.

Marcus Rashford will be given the responsibility of leading United’s attack and McTominay is seen as a commanding presence in central midfield.

Mason Greenwood’s impressive form during this tour of Australia and the Far East has put him in contention to start the opening game of the season against Chelsea.

The message is clear: If you’re good enough, you’re old enough. And the decision to hand Pereira a new four-year contract this summer is evidence of Solskjaer’s faith in a player who has already been called up by his country.

“He is one that I expect more from this season,” said the Norwegian. “If you give him game time it will grow his confidence.”

It is that attitude that has instilled belief within the club that youth will be given a chance.

“I think we have to let the young players show what they’ve got,” said Pereira. “Especially now in pre-season they have the chance to show it.

“Of course Man United always brought brilliant players through. You see Marcus and Jesse (Lingard) coming through the ranks and Scholesy, Giggsy, Becks in the past.

"But they have to get the chance and develop as players. In training we are fresh, the young boys run around a lot.

“We understand each other because we’ve known each other a long time. If you are here on tour there is always a possibility to do well. If the manager likes you, you’re in the team suddenly.

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“With the confidence from the manager, the staff and the board with the new contract, that is what I'm aiming to do and get games.

“I am very proud, me and my family as well, hopefully I can keep it up and show the manager I can do it.”

The long-standing issue for Pereira has been establishing his most effective position.

When he scored United’s goal of the season against Southampton in March, Solskjaer suggested his ideal role could be at No10.

His magnificent footwork and ball control would lend itself to a more advanced position – working spaces around the box and opening up defences with a touch of the unexpected.

Coach Michael Carrick has taken the versatile Pereira under his wing 
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That has been evident just watching him in training on tour – nonchalantly killing the ball in an instant and wriggling free from the tightest areas with a drag-back or stepover.

Yet he believes he can be more of a traditional midfielder if required, with Carrick taking him under his wing in a bid to advance his progression.

“I will play wherever the manager wants me to play,” he said. “I can play as a No8, box-to-box midfielder, but I'm a No10 as well and I can shoot on goal.

“Hopefully I can cement myself in the team first and then after we will see the position.

“I feel strong. I feel that I can step up. I feel that I have to take my chance now and I will be ready to take it this season.

“I think I have a lot more to show. I can show how much more consistent I will be in my game.”

One player Pereira hopes will remain alongside him in midfield is Pogba, who is a target for Real Madrid this summer.

Pereira hopes that close friend Paul Pogba will remain at Old Trafford this summer 
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They have enjoyed a close relationship since rising through United’s academy – and Pereira wants to see that blossom on the pitch for the first team.

He added: “In the group he is a great person. It will be very important if he stays with us. He is a very good player and top class as a person as well.

“I learn from him every day. He is one of my closest friends. I have been here with him since 16, so he is like family to me."

So is there any way he can influence Pogba’s decision?

“I might steal his phone so he doesn’t speak to anyone!"

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