I spent 10 years at Manchester United - they didn't give me the affection I deserved
"I really felt a bit of a lack of affection, of being able to play in my position and really show why I was at Manchester United."
Andreas Pereira says he felt there was a lack of affection during his decade at Manchester United and that he was rarely given the opportunity to prove why he was at the club in the first place.
Pereira officially joined United from PSV Eindhoven at the very start of 2012, but would have to wait a further two years before he was awarded a senior debut. He spent loan spells at Granada, Valencia, Lazio and Flamengo, but failed to over solidify a regular role in the starting line-up.
The Brazilian playmaker eventually left United on a permanent deal to join Fulham two years ago, and left Old Trafford having scored just four times in 74 competitive appearances for the club.
It always felt like there was more to come from the 28-year-old and he admits he felt like he never got a fair opportunity to showcase his talents during his decade in Manchester.
"Definitely (there was a lack of affection from Manchester United)," he told PL Brasil. "I spent a long time there, I arrived when I was 16 and left when I was 26. I really felt a bit of a lack of affection, of being able to play in my position and really show why I was at Manchester United. But in the end, I would have liked to have had this opportunity that I am having now, to show my football. And I am sure if I had had the same opportunity there, it would have been different.”
"I think that, in certain signings, the club could have trusted more in the youth players. In me, Angel (Gomes), (Scott) McTominay, (Jesses) Lingard, these players. They even play well, but then, at the first opportunity the club gets, they discard them.”