Ferguson convinced Arsenal fan to snub Gunners and complete transfer to Man Utd

29 July 2023 , 16:05

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Andreas Pereira almost joined Arsenal when he was a youngster (Image: Getty Images)

Andreas Pereira has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to snub Arsenal in favour of Manchester United when he was a youngster.

Pereira, 27, featured for Belgian side Lommel and PSV before moving to England with United in 2011. The Brazilian, who was aged 15 at the time, worked his way through the youth system at Old Trafford, before making his first-team debut during the infamous 4-0 defeat at MK Dons in August 2014.

Having scored his first United goal the following season under Louis van Gaal, Pereira was sent out on loan spells at Granada and Valencia before being given a proper run in the side. However, Pereira, who also spent time at Lazio and Flamengo, was never able to establish himself at the Red Devils.

He departed on a permanent transfer last summer after an 11-year association, with the attacking midfielder making the £10million move to Fulham. But Pereira's career trajectory could have all been different if Ferguson hadn't intervened and urged him to join United instead of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.

Speaking on The American Dream Podcast with Tim Ream, Pereira said: "It was really special. I was speaking with my dad and my head was on Arsenal, I wanted to go to Arsenal.

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"I was a fan and I liked the way they played football. It was at the time that Wilshere was getting his first games and I got a shirt from Wilshere and I loved this shirt.

"It came out that United were interested and I was always a fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, and my Dad said ok let's go and see how it is over there. In my head, I was going to visit and my head was in Arsenal, but Sir Alex Ferguson came and said it was nice to meet me, and I was in shock.

Andreas Pereira impressed for Fulham last season (Getty Images)

"But it wasn't just me, it was my Father, I never see him in shock with anyone and he didn't know what to do or to say hi. He said to me 'I always have a place for a Brazilian in my team, I saw you in the Nike Cup.' And when he said that I was like 'I'm staying here, I don't care about Arsenal, I love Ronaldo, I love Rooney, I love everyone."

Since leaving United in July 2022, Pereira has become a mainstay in the Fulham side and was crucial to their highest Premier League finish in over a decade as they ended up 10th. The one-time Brazil international grabbed five goals and six assists for the Whites in the process.

Kieran King