Manchester United news: Keith Hill has backed Joel Castro Pereira to be a future Red Devils star

Rochdale manager Keith Hill has backed Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Castro Pereira to be a future star for the Red Devils. The young Portuguese stopper made his debut for the Dale against Morecambe in the Johnstone Paints Trophy on 10 November.

The 19-year-old goalkeeper joined the League One club on a one-month loan deal in October and was handed his debut after impressing the manager during training. Pereira, who joined United in 2012, has come through the youth ranks at the club and recently extended his contract, which will keep him at the club at least until the summer of 2020.

Despite Rochdale losing to Morecambe in the cup competition, the manager was delighted with the performance of the young goalkeeper. Hill is adamant that the Portugal U21 international has the talent to become a future Red Devils star and play at the highest level. The manager, however, despite acknowledging his talents, has made it clear that Josh Lillis is currently their number one and will continue to be between the sticks for their league fixtures.

"One good thing to come out of the night was Joel's performance and I think he is going to be a top, top goalkeeper," Hill said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News. "He has pedigree and what he has been producing in training was better than what we saw against Morecambe."

"His pass range is remarkable, he has composure and a thirst to win, he reads an opponent very well. He is an exceptional talent and I was always going to play him against Morecambe. I've got no reservations, if called upon, to play him in a league fixture, but obviously Josh Lillis is our number one goalkeeper right now," the Rochdale manager explained.