'I didn’t speak with Ten Hag': Andreas Pereira reveals why he left Man United

"I didn’t speak with [Erik] ten Hag," Andreas Pereira told ESPN.

"I know him because I worked with him at PSV but I was determined in my head and maybe if I spoke with the manager again I would stay [at Manchester United].

"In my head, I was thinking 'I need to go, I need to feel confident and play' and that’s what I did.

"At United I had a lot of memories; good memories, bad memories. It’s been 10 years at the club. I arrived when I was 16 so, you know, a young boy.

"It was an amazing ride but I got to the stage where I thought maybe it was best not to stay.

"I wanted to feel more loved and I wanted to play every game. What Fulham offered me and what [manager] Marco [Silva] offered me, it was the perfect opportunity."

Pereira appears to have got what he wanted, establishing himself as a key player for the Cottagers this season.

He's started all 27 games for Fulham in the Premier League, helping them climb to the ninth spot.

It will be interesting to see how he fares when Fulham take on United in the FA Cup quarter-final.