Andreas hopes to harness the hurt against Liverpool
While appreciating that action speaks louder than words, Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira is under no illusion as to how much of a boost it would provide for everyone associated with the club if the Reds can beat Liverpool on Sunday.
In an exclusive interview with United Review, the 23-year-old discusses the magnitude of one of world football's greatest fixtures and shares the hurt the supporters have been feeling, particularly with the Merseysiders riding high at the top of the Premier League table.
Jurgen Klopp's team are aiming to end what will be at least a 30-year wait for the title and have won all eight of their top-flight matches so far this term.
"We know the fans are hurting," Andreas told United Review, the official matchday programme. "The players and everyone at the club, here at the training ground, hurts. Me, even more, because I’m a Manchester United fan and a player and I am here at the Aon Training Complex every day. It hurts not getting the results.
"Everybody is doing their best to get it turned around and I am sure it will happen. Everyone is working hard, even harder, and, sooner or later, when everyone is working hard, things get back to good ways.
"It’s a perfect game against Liverpool, a perfect derby, and we have to build up for it."
The midfielder knows how important the fixture is to everyone associated with United and compared it to some of the biggest rivalries in the world game.
“I think you can compare it with Boca Juniors-River Plate, Santos-Corinthians, Flamengo-Fluminense," he said. "It’s one of the biggest derbies like El Clasico – Real Madrid versus Barcelona – and one of the biggest games, not only in England but in the world. Everyone will be watching and it’s most important for us, and for the fans.
"I always watched these games at home with my dad and my family. You know, I was always very curious and supporting United."
Andreas spelled out how determined the Reds are to improve on a disappointing start to the campaign, and there is certainly no better place to start than against the Premier League leaders.
“I think it means a lot to us," he added. "It’s one of the most important games of the year – it’s the derby and we absolutely want to win this game. We will do absolutely everything to win it. I know we’re not living the best moment right now, and we’re not getting results, but I think it’s a derby and it is always a different game.
"Absolutely, we want to win it – everyone at the club, everyone in the team and the staff. We all want to do everything to win the game and it can be a nice bounce back and provide a nice lift for us to start getting results.”
Buy United Review, the official matchday programme, to read the full interview with Andreas. It is available to purchase online and at Old Trafford.
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