“For Eric, this was the first time he has worn a shirt like the Manchester United shirt (at Wigan)”.
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Pereira, who struggled for regular first-team action under Louis van Gaal, sealed the win with a stunning strike in the 58th minute and Mourinho is excited about the 20-year-old Brazilian’s potential.
“Yes I’m very happy”, he said.
“That’s just talking about two players but the reality is the kids, without pressure and in a calm environment and not in the fire but in a cool situation for them, were very good”.
“There was the manifestation of happiness [from them] about a few things they could see in the team which was absolutely fantastic”.
New signings Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly started at the DW Stadium alongside the returning Luke Shaw, but the goals all came in the second half after several changes had been made. He can’t speak English and can only communicate with the ones who are French-speakers or Spanish.
Memphis had a golden chance to make the breakthrough in the 25th minute when Mkhitaryan delivered a stunning pass towards the far post, but the Dutchman somehow missed the target from close range. Things, as they stand, can only get better.
Speaking to MUTV, Mourinho said: “Mkhitaryan is a top-class player and now at the best stage for a footballer – 27/28 years old”.
The move for Fabinho comes after Jose Mourinho’s comments about preferring players who are specific to a certain position, and Fabinho certainly covers that bracket. “That pleased me. Everybody played the match and everyone had a positive performance”.
Kick-off had to wait for the mandatory airing of “Will Grigg’s on Fire” in honour of the Latics’ Northern Ireland striker, but once the whistle blew it was only a matter of seconds before Mourinho’s name was bellowed from the away end.
“I know [Wigan] is a Championship team and they are in the same process we are, a training process, so thank you very much to the Wigan players and manager to give us the training session we need at this moment”.
“I will try to make him the best I can”.
“I’m happy because there were things we tried in training around some principles of our play defensively and offensively and I could see them”.
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United’s preparations step up a notch on their forthcoming tour of China, where they face Dortmund, Galatasaray and neighbours Manchester City.
