Pereira hit back at Mourinho in style (Picture: Getty)
Pereira hit back at Mourinho in style (Picture: Getty)

Andreas Pereira let his feet do the talking on the pitch as he scored a terrific goal for Valencia in the wake of criticism from Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

The 21-year-old forced through a short-term move away from Old Trafford in order to play first-team football in La Liga due to concerns about opportunities under the Portuguese in 2017/18.

Pereira has been in and out of the Valencia side since his move to Spain and started on the bench during their 6-3 win over Real Betis on Sunday.

But when he came on as a second half substitute, he truly made his mark on the match.

Picking the ball up on the left-hand side of the area, Pereira cut in and rifled a fine strike into the far right corner – an ideal response to Mourinho’s criticism to him leaving Manchester.

‘Andreas Pereira was a personal decision that I don’t agree with,’ Mourinho said after his move.

‘A decision I don’t think honestly is the best decision for him, a decision that disappoints me a little bit, because I think he has the potential to be here fighting for a position, for opportunities, and fighting to be a Manchester United player.

‘I think his decision can be considered a decision of a young player who wants to play every weekend but can also be considered a decision by a young player that is not ready to fight for something difficult and it’s difficult to play in the Manchester United midfield.

‘You have to be ready to fight for a position and I am a bit disappointed that he left. But okay, it was his decision, I open the door for his decision, he has a long-term contract, we have the option to bring him back on January 1, so we have that situation under control.

‘It is not a drama but is a decision that disappoints me a little bit.’

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