Pereira reveals he dodged Ten Hag to force his Manchester United exit in 2022

Andreas Pereira deliberately avoided Erik ten Hag when the Dutchman was appointed Manchester United manager in 2022, fearing that speaking to him would weaken his resolve to leave Old Trafford. The Brazilian midfielder, who spent 11 years at the club after joining as a 16-year-old, secured a permanent move to Fulham that summer and has since described it as the best decision of his life.

“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.”

Despite making 75 appearances for United, Pereira spent much of his time at the club out on loan — at Granada, Valencia, Lazio, and eventually Flamengo — before returning to Old Trafford ahead of Ten Hag’s first season in charge. The prospect of again fighting for a place, rather than playing regularly, proved the decisive factor.

“I wanted to feel more loved and I wanted to play every game,” he said. “What Fulham offered me and what Marco [Silva] offered me, it was the perfect opportunity.”

Pereira went on to score 10 goals in 119 appearances for the Cottagers, reclaiming his place in the Brazil national team along the way. Speaking to the Evening Standard in 2024, he was unequivocal about the move. “I think it was the best decision I made in my life. To come to live and play here, to enjoy my football, to get back into the national team — leaving is the best decision I made. But the time I was there, I really enjoyed being at a fantastic club. I don’t regret leaving.”

He reserved particular praise for Fulham manager Marco Silva, crediting him as the driving force behind his revival. “He is responsible for me coming to Fulham. I will always be grateful for everything he has done for me.”

Pereira’s comments resurfaced ahead of Fulham’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United at Craven Cottage on Sunday, 20 September — a fixture that arrives at a difficult moment for the Red Devils, who were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday after squandering a 2-0 lead against Brighton, who came back to win 3-2.