Jose Mourinho promises first ever start to Manchester United youngster

Jose Mourinho has promised rising goalkeeper Joel Pereira his first ever Manchester United start before the end of the season.

Pereira the first half of the season out on loan at Portuguese side Belenenses, but was called back to United after third choice goalkeeper Sam Johnstone was sent on loan to Aston Villa in January.

The United manager has high hopes for Pereira and has even hailed the 20-year-old as the future No.1 for the Portugal national team and now plans to give him his first ever start for the club in their final league game of the season against Crystal Palace.

“I really hope that everything is decided so we are not part of that because if we are, I am so sorry,” The Daily Mail quote Mourinho as saying when asked whether playing a youngster would anger other managers battling to avoid relegation.

“But if we are, I am [still] going to rest players. Joel Pereira is fantastic and I am going to give him a chance to play in the Premier League this season. In one of our three remaining matches I am going to play him.

“We have two good experienced goalkeepers and this young boy who for me is going to be the Portuguese No.1. He was made in this club.”

Pereira made his United debut earlier in the season when Mourinho gave the youngster 10 minutes in their 4-0 win over Wigan in a FA Cup clash in January.

It does mean, however, that David De Gea may have played his final ever game as a United player at Old Trafford. The Spain international is expected to join Real Madrid this season and United’s match against Palace on the final day of the season is their only home game remaining.

For more stats on Joel Pereira, click here to visit his WhoScored player page