Manchester United: Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj back Andreas Pereira for first-team role

Manchester United duo Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj are confident Andreas Pereira is capable of winning a role in the first team at Old Trafford in the 2015-16 season.

Pereira, 19, was handed his Premier League debut in the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in March and ended prolonged speculation over his future by signing a new three-year deal at Old Trafford the following month.

Having been called up to the Brazil squad for the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand, the Belgian-born attacking midfielder did not feature in United's end-of-season run in but has provided glimpses of his burgeoning potential while on international duty, scoring a sensational solo effort in his side's defeat to Serbia in the final of the competition.

Ahead of Pereira's return to Manchester for the club's pre-season campaign, Fellaini believes the youngster will continue on his current trajectory and battle for a regular role in Louis van Gaal's squad.

"Andreas is a big talent," Fellaini told United Review, the club's official website reports. "I think the club did everything to sign him up to a contract because a lot of teams wanted him. He has to continue like that, to work hard and to keep going and try to win his place."

Pereira often featured in the same side as Januzaj last season, as the Belgium international drifted between Van Gaal's first team and Warren Joyce's Under-21 ranks.

Having enjoyed his own breakout season in the 2013-14 season, Januzaj believes Pereira can make a similar step up.

"It is always good to win your own prize and your own trophy," he said. "He just has to work hard and when the chance comes to him, he should take it. Andreas is a very good player, he has a lot of good qualities and he can be a great player for United."