Former Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira has revealed he left Old Trafford without even speaking to new manager Erik ten Hag, calling his switch to Fulham the best decision of his career.
Pereira’s Departure From Manchester United
Pereira joined United’s academy from PSV Eindhoven in 2011 and went on to make 75 senior appearances. Despite early promise, his time at Old Trafford was inconsistent and marked by loan spells at Granada, Valencia, Lazio, and Flamengo.
In 2022, the Brazilian completed a permanent move to Fulham in a deal worth £8.6m (rising to £10m). Since then, he has become a key player under Marco Silva at Craven Cottage.
Why Pereira Refused to Speak With Ten Hag
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Pereira explained why he avoided conversations with Ten Hag when deciding his future:
“I didn’t want to speak to Erik because I knew him from my PSV days. He would always say, ‘You’ll play sometimes, maybe one in three games.’ That wasn’t enough — I wanted to play every week.”
Ten Hag had just taken over at Manchester United, but Pereira wanted guaranteed first-team football rather than another period on the fringes.
Fulham Move Seen as Best Career Decision
At 29 years old, Pereira has finally found the stability he was seeking. He plays a vital role in Fulham’s midfield and believes the move away from Manchester United allowed him to prove himself in the Premier League.
Reflecting on his journey, Pereira described his transfer to Fulham as the “finest decision” of his professional life.
Key Takeaways
Andreas Pereira left Manchester United in 2022 without speaking to Erik ten Hag.
He chose Fulham for consistent playing time and stability.
The Brazilian now considers it the best move of his career.
