I don't regret Man United exit - I didn't want to speak to boss and avoided him

The 30-year-old played 75 games for the Reds, but much of his time in Manchester resulted in several loans to the likes of Granada, Valencia, Lazio and current club Flamengo. Pereira returned to Old Trafford in 2022 and with Ten Hag appointed boss that summer, the midfielder was keen to seek pastures new.

Pereira's desire for a new challenge was so strong that he avoided speaking to the Dutchman due to fears that he'd be able to convince him to fight for a place in Manchester. The pair worked together at PSV Eindhoven, but the Brazil international remained steadfast in his decision to depart.

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To get it, it's a simple one-two punch.

"I didn't speak with Ten Hag," Pereira told ESPN during his first season at Fulham. "I know him because I worked with him at PSV but I was determined in my head and maybe if I spoke with the manager again I would stay. In my head I was thinking 'I need to go, I need to feel confident and play' and that's what I did.

"At United I had a lot of memories; good memories, bad memories. It's been 10 years at the club. I arrived when I was 16 so, you know, a young boy. It was an amazing ride but I got to the stage where I thought maybe it was best not to stay.

"I wanted to feel more loved and I wanted to play every game. What Fulham offered me and what [manager] Marco [Silva] offered me, it was the perfect opportunity." Pereira's best stint of his career came in west London, where he scored 10 goals in 119 games for the Cottagers.

He admitted that leaving Manchester was the best move he'd made in life and harboured no regrets over departing the club he'd been at for 11 years. "I think it was the best decision I made in my life," Pereira told the Evening Standard in 2024.

"To come to live and play here, to enjoy my football, to get back into the national team with great players, to enjoy my football in the Premier League, leaving is the best decision I made. The time I was there, I really enjoyed being at a fantastic club. But I don’t regret leaving.

"We [the players in my situation] have this desire to show it was wrong that we didn’t play. With everyone’s help around me [at Fulham], I achieved a great season. [Marco Silva] is responsible for me coming to Fulham. I will always be grateful for everything he has done for me."

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