Pereira: The Champions League is good for me

After featuring in the UEFA Champions League win at Young Boys, Andreas Pereira left Stade de Suisse with a smile on his face. The Academy graduate had just helped the team to an important victory, and had appeared in the Europe’s top competition for the club he loves.

The road to the first team has been long for our talented Belgium-born Brazilian, featuring two educational loan spells in La Liga, yet occasions like the victory in Switzerland make it all worthwhile. Following his substitute appearance against the Swiss champions, Andreas spoke exclusively to us…

That was a perfect away performance from the team – did it feel like that?
“I think it was a very good performance from the players. Winning 3-0 in the first away game, I think is very good, it gives confidence for the team and we have to kick on now.”

There was plenty said about the artificial surface before the game – was it difficult in the end?
“It was difficult. I think we had to adapt a bit, but that is normal. We always have to adapt to different pitches. We knew we had to play here, on this pitch, so I think we did quite well, considering it was the first time that we played on this artificial pitch.”

Does the team ever train on the indoor pitch at the Aon Training Complex?
“No we never train on that. We always train on grass because, in the Premier League, we play on grass and normally in the Champions League as well. Only when the weather is too bad, we train indoors on there [laughs]!”

How does it feel to be involved in a big Champions League night for United?
“It is very good for me. I am learning a lot. I just want to make sure I can do the most for the team and help us win. Hopefully, I can do more and more in every game.”

Your good friend Fred played well. Do you feel he’s progressing nicely?
“He is doing great. He is settling in more and more. He is feeling at home more and more. We are doing our best to make him feel at home as well. You can see that on the pitch - he is playing better and better in each game.”

After your loan spell at Valencia last season, you must have half an eye on our next Champions League Group H game?
“Yeah, it is my old team, I was there last season. Hopefully we can win those games against them as it would be good for our Champions League chances. I still speak to some friends that I have there and they will be good games.”

Are you surprised that Valencia lost at home to Juventus?
“I don't know really. Juventus are a very big team as well, we knew it would be a big game between them. But we have won our game. That is what counts and hopefully we can keep winning.”

Following three successive wins at Burnley, Watford and Young Boys, confidence must be high heading into Saturday’s home match against Wolves?
“Yeah, we are confident of getting a fourth win in a row. We have to keep winning and show that we are the best.”