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Man United youngster: This is what Jose Mourinho said before offloading me in the summer
MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Joel Pereira has revealed what manager Jose Mourinho told him before he was sent out on loan.
Joel Pereira has played three times for Belenenses
The 20-year-old goalkeeper joined Portuguese outfit Belenenses on a season-long loan deal in the summer.
And the Swiss-born Portugal Under-20 international, who has featured just three times for the Primeira Liga side, says Jose Mourinho fully backed his move.
On Mourinho, Pereira told Portuguese paper O Jogo: "He arrived and had a big impact in the team.
"Right in his first days of work, it was seen there was another pleasure. Jose Mourinho is a winner.
Joel Pereira will remain at Belenenses for the rest of the season
"Since the first training, I’ve been in the first team until going to the Olympics, and I still played against Wigan.
"I hope I have more opportunities next year.
"He told me to enjoy, learn and play as much as possible at Belenenses."
Pereira went on to say how Manchester United's No 1 David De Gea and former back-up Victor Valdes helped influence his development.
Jose Mourinho told Joel Pereira to enjoy his football at Belenenses
He added: "David De Gea has impressed me most, he is one of the best in the world.
"Valdes is a fantastic goalkeeper, a great person. That's what helped me most, Valdes giving advice.
"He had been in my situation and knew what I was going through.
"He helped me with aspects related to positioning, ball placement, crosses and deciding how to attack the ball."