Andreas Pereira Urged Not to Panic Over Manchester United Future

Manchester United starlet Andreas Pereira is unsure when the club will offer him a new contract but has been urged by Louis van Gaal not to panic over his future.

Van Gaal handed the 18-year-old his first team debut in United's 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup in August and has included him in his first squad for home games against Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United in the Premier League.

While United are yet to tie Belgian-born Brazil Under-20 international Pereira down to a new deal, the inventive midfielder claims he has received assurances from his manager.

"They (United) have not contacted me yet, but van Gaal told me to stay calm," Pereira told Brazilian publication Lancenet.

"He wants to give me a chance because I have plenty of talent. When he arrived at the club, I talked with him. He always says so."

When quizzed on a wild theory that van Gaal overlooks players of a Brazilian background Pereira was dismissive, stating: "It is not true. He always treats me in a normal way."

Pereira is one of a number of youngsters to have been called into the first team by the former Netherlands manager in the early months of the season. Paddy McNair, Tom Thorpe, Tyler Blackett, Jesse Lingard, James Wilson, Saidy Janko, Reece James and Marnick Vermijl have all been handed roles in the first team by the Dutchman, who has insisted he will continue to turn to youth as the club contend with an injury crisis in the first team squad.

"I won't take risks with players, they have to be fit," Van Gaal told reporters on Friday. "We have nine injuries now and Blackett is suspended so I have to go to the youth education and pick players. There are vacancies. The younger players can have their chances now."