Former Club Brugge boss Henk Houwaart has claimed that Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira would struggle to get into the Belgian club’s starting XI, per HLN via Sport Witness.
What’s he said?
United are preparing to take on Brugge in the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 tie on Thursday evening. The two sides drew the first leg 1-1.
Pereira has made 35 appearances for United thus far this season, scoring one goal and registering four assists.
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He has not had a goal involvement in the Premier League since December, however, providing an assist in a 2-0 win over Burnley.
And Houwaart, who managed Brugge between 1984 and 1989, winning the Belgian Pro League with the club in 1988, has slammed the ability of Pereira, while claiming that it is a “shame” United do not have such stars as Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs anymore.
The 74-year-old said: “It is just a pity that this is not the Manchester United of yesteryear, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Giggs.
“Like Pereira… That boy would have to fight to be in the starting line-up of Club Brugge.”
Probably right
This is harsh and it could well come back to haunt Houwaart if Pereira plays a key role in the second leg but it is hard to argue with him.
Per WhoScored, the Brazilian has averaged 1.6 shots per game in the Premier League, 1.3 key passes, 0.8 dribbles and a passing accuracy of 77.6%.
For top players at elite clubs, as United are meant to be, that is bang average.
Put simply, he needs to improve if he is going to become a genuinely key member of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
Thus far this season, he has completed the 90 minutes just six times in the top-flight.
There is a very clear reason for that.