Why Manchester United should recall Andreas Pereira from his loan spell at Valencia

Andreas Pereira is an exciting young footballer who can play on both wings, as an attacking midfielder or as a holding midfielder. He has always been overshadowed by other young players at United, such as Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj (now at Real Sociedad), and he spent the entire 2016/17 season at Granada with some seriously impressive performances. This led many to believe that he will be an important part of Jose Mourinho's plans for this season.

Pereira started pre-season in good form and he was positive about his first-team chances at Old Trafford. However, a move to Valencia on a season-long loan deal has left some United fans confused.

After all, Manchester United are competing in four competitions this season, and we know that Mourinho likes to win every trophy. This requires a big squad, considering all the injuries that a club might have to face.

Lack of game time at Valencia

Valencia have loaned in two players for the same position and are now facing the tough task of rotating between them. Goncalo Guedes has impressed the manager and is starting many games but Pereira has been limited to a few starting opportunities and some minutes off the bench.

A young Belgian's United career was damaged due to an ill-advised loan move to Borussia Dortmund that he never recovered from. Manchester United would surely not want what happened to Januzaj to happen to Pereira, given his impressive performances in pre-season. It would be wise for Mourinho to bring him back as soon as possible and watch him progress under his eyes.

Improve Mkhitaryan's impact

He's naturally a left winger but can play on both wings, which might have worked in United's favour as they seem to be looking for a solution at the right flank, so as to give Mkhitaryan a free role behind Lukaku.

Lingard and Young are two options that United have at present for the right wing role, but neither of them are consistent enough to be considered a long-term solution. Pereira, however, has impressed on the right flank when given the chance at Valencia, and would surely be able to replicate his form for United in the Premier League given his build and speed.

If United need to compete with City in the league, Mkhitaryan needs to be given a role that is better suited to his style of play so that he can continue providing goals for Lukaku and co. and score one or two himself.

Perfect cover for Pogba

With Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini out, United have had to go with Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic as the two midfielders, but the problem lies in the fact that they are both defensive in their approach, which makes the transition from defence to attack a little slow.

A player like Pereira would have been perfect for this situation as he's fast and energetic, which will help United counter-attack smoothly and keep score goals in the absence of Pogba. United are looking to keep pace with a free-flowing City who have already scored 28 goals in the league this season.

He might not have been integral to the United side at the start of the season, but as things stand, he will surely add quality to United's attack and give them another option in games like the one at Anfield where Jose was short of options.

It might be difficult to get him back right now, but Mourinho should definitely activate the clause in his loan contract and bring him back in January to help United's cause in the second half of the season.