Pereira's plans for the 2019/20 season

Manchester United Academy graduate Joel Pereira has told us that he feels “amazing” and in great physical condition, as he continues to learn and develop as a young goalkeeper.

Pereira is currently training hard in Perth, Australia, as part of a 28-man squad for Tour 2019, working closely each day with his good friends David De Gea, Sergio Romero and Lee Grant.

During an interview at The WACA cricket ground on Thursday, Pereira gave a positive update on his continuing education and his form in training. “I feel amazing,” Joel told us Down Under.

“I have been working very hard. Physically I feel great. I have prepared myself for this moment and I am feeling really well. I am just trying to give my best every day in training.”

The 23-year-old Academy graduate has previously completed temporary spells at Rochdale, Portuguese sides Belenenses and Vitoria Setubal and Belgian team Kortrijk.

Asked what the new season might hold in store for him, Pereira explained: “I think that in this new season it will be important for me to play somewhere, so probably going on loan will be the best option for me, to get some games to come back better and stronger.

“We will see, we are looking at some options. Maybe I will stay in the UK and that will be great for me. The club is doing the work. My only focus is here in Australia, I am focused on the training every single day and in the games that are coming up.”

Pereira will go out on loan with the blessing of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who fully endorses the progress made by the Portuguese goalkeeper.

“I think all of the club has been behind me for the last few years and to have Ole behind me is just amazing,” Joel said of the boss. “He is an amazing person and an amazing coach. I just want to give my best for him and for the club. It is great to have that backing.”

Solskjaer’s staff has been boosted this summer by the arrival of new senior goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis, who has returned to the club where he served as the Head of Academy Goalkeeping between 2000 and 2010, as well as one season with Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-team squad in 2007/08.

“Obviously it is amazing,” says Joel. “Richard has been part of the club before, he knows where Manchester United belongs and he wants to bring it back up there. He wants to make us understand that Manchester United belongs at the top. These last 10 days I have been working with him, me and the rest of the goalkeepers have enjoyed it a lot. He has a lot of experience and he can help us a lot.”

Hartis coached United great Edwin van der Sar during that famous 2007/08 season and Pereira cites the Dutchman as one of his all-time favourite goalkeepers.

“Yes, Edwin was one of my idols when I was growing up. Knowing that Richard has worked with him is amazing for me. Like I said, Edwin was one of my idols and now we have the same coach, which is great. Richard can help me a lot with his experience.”

Emilio Alvarez also features in a world-class coaching set-up at United and he is an incredibly popular figure among the squad; the Spaniard's expertise is also helping Pereira and his team-mates to improve.

“Emilio is an amazing person,” says Joel. “I have worked with him for the last couple of years. He is not only an amazing coach but also an amazing person.

“He is always happy. He tried to bring the happiness to the goalkeepers and we are always in a great environment. So it has been amazing to work with him. Now, with Richard, I think he will complete the group with his experience and it will be amazing to have both of them with us.”

All of United's six pre-season games - against Perth Glory, Leeds United, Inter Milan, Spurs, Kristiansund and AC Milan - will be shown live on MUTV.