Manchester United prodigy Andreas Pereira targets breaking into Louis van Gaal's first team

Brazilian starlet Andreas Pereira says he is looking forward to breaking into Louis van Gaal's first team after last month deciding to commit his future to Old Trafford until summer 2018 with a new deal.

The 19-year-old midfielder moved to the Premier League giants academy in 2011 and has since developed in the youth ranks as one of the next big things to emerge at Old Trafford.

He is currently preparing and hoping to help his national team beat Uruguay in the last 16 of Under 20 World Cup but speaking about his motivations and dreams at Old Trafford, he said: "It's about breaking into the first-team squad. After that, I have to work hard to get into the first team and, following that, we will see.

"I was focused on the football anyway [rather than my future] and everything that comes with it but, when I signed, I was very pleased to finalise the contract. I can continue my form like this and do well here in the coming years.

"It means a lot [to me]. I'm very proud to be a Manchester United player. I always dreamed about it. Now I am happy I can live my dream."

Van Gaal handed him his first team debut earlier in the season during the disappointing 4-0 loss against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup and gave him his first Premier League debut cameo in the impressive 3-0 victory over Tottenham on March.

Pereira said it was like a dream come true but hopes to have more opportunities to prove his worth with the first-team next season.

"It was like a dream come true. I was very happy with the moment against Tottenham when I could come on and we won the game as well – that was important. To be fair, when I came on the pitch it looked like I was dreaming. I felt like I was playing a video game then, afterwards, I got used to it. I wanted to help the team. I didn't think about getting tired as I was just running as hard as I can."