Man Utd forgotten man handed lifeline after phone call from John Murtough

Andreas Pereira may be set for another chance at Manchester United, with reports claiming football director John Murtough has told the midfielder the club can count on him for next season.

Pereira hasn't played a minute for United since a Europa League victory over LASK in August 2020. He spent last season on loan at Lazio, and is currently coming towards the end of a similar spell with Flamengo.

The Brazil international had helped the Rio-based team reach the final of the 2021 Copa Libertadores. However, a permanent switch appears to be less likely than it once was, and his future could now lie back in Manchester.

With Erik ten Hag heading to Old Trafford ahead of the new season, the club have been tipped to spend over the summer. However, with the likes of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic on their way out, the Red Devils could be left light in midfield.

While Pereira's future remains uncertain, TNT Sports (via Sport Witness ) report that Murtough has reached out to the 26-year-old. The outlet also makes reference to the midfielder's history with Ten Hag, who was assistant manager at PSV Eindhoven when a teenage Pereira was in the club's academy before joining United.

Ten Hag is planning one-to-one meetings with each of United's squad members as he decides who to keep and who to let go. Matic has already confirmed his plans to leave, while Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata and Lee Grant are all out of contract at the end of the season.

"It has been a huge honour and a privilege to play for this great club, Matic said when announcing his plans to move on. The Serbian has been linked with a move to Roma, where he would be reunited with Jose Mourinho - the manager who first brought him to Old Trafford.