Man Utd activate clause to keep Pereira for another year after Solskjaer discovers his best position
The Brazilian international was out of contract this summer but has now committed his future until the end of the 2019/20 campaign
MANCHESTER UNITED have extended Andreas Pereira's contract by 12 months until the end of next season.
The Brazilian midfielder, 23, was just three months from the end of his current deal but United had an option to activate a clause to keep him at Old Trafford for another year.
There was talk that Arsenal - among other clubs - may try and make a move for the free agent come the summer.
But those reports have now been quashed with the news that Pereira has committed to a further season.
His new deal is reward for the fine performances he has delivered under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since the interim boss took charge in December - and found his best position.
After six appearances under Jose Mourinho this season, Solskjaer has come in and shown confidence in the midfielder, who has also benefited from injuries in the United side.
Solskjaer said: “He has gone through the academy, he has loads of energy and drive. Maybe we found a better position for him. He is more of a No8 or 10 than a six.
“Young kids when they get criticism, there is nothing better than seeing them grab their chance.”
He is still certainly behind the likes of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic but has battled well with the likes of Ander Herrera, Fred and Scott McTominay for a spot alongside the big Serbian.
But with Pogba suspended and Matic out for the second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, Solskjaer turned to Pereira as United pulled off the stunning comeback to make it through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Latest Manchester United news
Pereira's standout performance came against Southampton when he scored a stunning equaliser before setting up Romelu Lukaku to put the Red Devils in front.
Manchester United did the same with David De Gea earlier in the season, activating an extra year to fend off the likes of Juventus trying to swoop.
Pereira joins the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Anthony Martial in putting pen to paper on a new deal.
But Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera's futures are still unclear with their contracts expiring this summer and seemingly no closer to agreeing an extension.