Go back a little over a year, to August 2017, and young Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira had made up his mind – he was leaving. It was not for good – he still believed he had what it took to break into the United starting XI – but to develop from a promising youngster into a fully-fledged professional he knew he needed to get as much playing time as possible. The problem? Well, Jose Mourinho already thought Pereira was good enough to be part of his first-team squad and was keen to close the exit door. With the towering figure of Mourinho standing in the way, we can safely assume that it’s not easy for a young player to get what they want. But Pereira was not afraid of the challenge. He stood firm and, on September 1st last year, was allowed to go on a season-long loan to Valencia. The manager was still not happy. “Andreas Pereira was a personal decision that I don't agree with," Mourinho said at the time. "A decision I don't think honestly is the best decision for him, a decision that disappoints me a little bit, because I think he has the potential to be here fighting for a position, for opportunities.” But, over the course of the La Liga season, Pereira’s obstinance in the face of his manager’s wishes proved entirely justified. He appeared 29 times in a side that qualified for the Champions League and made an admirable run to the semi-final of the Copa Del Rey. And now, after starting two of United’s first four games of the season, he has been rewarded with his very first call-up to the full Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies in the USA. The spell at Valencia was, in fact, his second consecutive season in Spain after spending the previous year in a relegation scrap with Granada, where he was briefly managed by Arsenal legend Tony Adams. During those two years in the Spanish top flight, Pereira gained invaluable experience – both battling at the bottom of the league and tussling at the top – and proved that he is capable of becoming the consummate modern professional, playing in any role that a coach may request of him.