Scottish Premiership side Hearts have secured the services of Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Pereira on a season-long loan deal.
In an interview with Hearts TV, Pereira justified the move by stating, “I spoke with the staff at Manchester United and the idea was for me to get out on loan and to get as many minutes as I can.”
A product of the Manchester United youth system, Pereira first received a call up to the first-team squad in 2017, having previously represented the club at the U18 and U23 levels. The Portuguese stopper last made an appearance in the Red Devils’ starting lineup against Crystal Palace in 2017. Since then, he has featured in a number of Premier League reserve team matches and has gone out on loan to numerous clubs, including Portuguese side Vitória Setúbal and Belgian outfit KV Kortrijk.
While United have not denied his inclusion in the club’s long term plans, Pereira’s lack of game time can be attributed to stiff competition for the number one jersey. United stalwart David de Gea remains the club’s first-choice pick between the posts, while veteran backup option Sergio Romero remains in favor with the club, particularly after a standout Europa League campaign in 2017 and effective appearances in the 2018 and 2019 editions of the FA Cup.
