Why Ricardo Pereira would be a good signing for Manchester United
According to Fichajes (h/t Mirror), Manchester United have Ricardo Pereira on their shortlist of right-backs to sign over the next two transfer windows. The Red Devils are interested in adding another right-back to their ranks who provides something more in the final third.
They are hoping to secure at least one player who can cover for Wan-Bissaka and provide some competition for him.
Profile
A youth product of Benfica and Sporting CP, Pereira spent most of his formative years at Sporting. After Sporting, he had spells at Naval and Vitoria Guimaraes. Finally, he settled down at FC Porto in 2013.
During his spell at Porto, he went out on loan to OGC Nice, where he spent two seasons and racked up 57 appearances. On his return, he spent another season at Porto. In total, he made 77 appearances for the Portuguese giants, scoring 4 goals and 9 assists.
The 27-year-old Portuguese joined Leicester from FC Porto in 2018 and has been a huge hit at the King Power Stadium. The defender has scored 6 goals and provided 10 assists for the Foxes and has been one of the most impressive right-backs in the league.
Ricardo Pereira can offer something different than Wan-Bissaka
It would be an understatement that Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of the best defensive right-backs in the league. The former Crystal Palace man is a ferocious and accurate tackler of the ball. He is perhaps the best defender when it comes to 1-v-1 scenarios. He has kept world-class wingers like Raheem Sterling quiet, which should tell you all about his prowess.
However, just the one downside to that has been his offensive contribution. Unlike modern fullbacks, Wan-Bissaka leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to providing a threat from the right. His crossing and passing in the final third aren’t quite up to the mark.
This has prompted Manchester United to search for a more attack-minded right-back as reported by ESPN. In Ricardo Pereira, they will have what they want and more. The Leicester man has been one of the better attacking right-backs in the Premier League over the last two seasons.
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He can provide some delicious crosses and occasionally chip in with the odd goal. Pereira might be out for the season due to a cruciate ligament injury but he should be pursued by United next season.
It would surely be hard to prise him away from the Foxes given that he was a regular before his injury but the addition of Timothy Castagne means the Foxes can afford to let him go, which United can look to use in their favour.
