West Brom star ripping up the Championship comments on Man Utd links

West Brom midfielder Matheus Pereira has commented on links to Manchester United and what it was like playing alongside Bruno Fernandes.

The Brazilian playmaker is currently on loan at the Hawthorns from Sporting Lisbon, Fernandes’ old club, but that has not stopped talk of a potential move to Old Trafford.

But having made 30 appearances for Albion this term, the 23-year-old has triggered a contract clause that will allow West Brom to sign him for a bargain €10m (£8.25m) – with a four-year contract also on the cards.

Pereira was speaking in an interview with Portuguese newspaper Record, via Sport Witness, this week, with talk about a move to United also discussed.

When asked if he or his agents had received any contact from the Red Devils, Pereira played his cards close to his chest, admitting: “I’m focused on the moment that I’m living here.

“I don’t really like watching news or reading newspapers. I’m always focused on training and games. It’s my goal.

“I try to stay as much as possible on the margins of everything that runs outside.”

As for the chances of lining up alongside his old Sporting team-mate Fernandes at Old Trafford, Pereira added: “Right now, I’m right here and happy. I still have a contract with Sporting… To Bruno I only wish him luck. He’s a great player. He went to a big club and has everything to go well.”

Pereira has scored six goals and added an impressive 16 assists in 30 games for West Brom so far this season, with the Baggies currently sitting top of the Championship as they eye a return to the Premier League.

 

 

Meanwhile, Owen Hargreaves believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be foolish to lean too much on one Manchester United star in the years ahead, claiming he should never be considered anything other than a squad player at Old Trafford.

With injuries sustained by Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, Solskjaer has been forced to call upon Andreas Pereira perhaps more than he’d have expected to this season, the Belgium-born midfielder on Thursday night making his 35th appearance of the campaign for the club – by far his most successful in United colours so far.

But after witnessing his display in Thursday’s 1-1 Europa League Round-of-32 first-leg draw at Club Brugge, Hargreaves is adamant the player is not of the quality United need to elevate themselves back among the elite of the English game. Read more…