The Belgian-born Brazilian has impressed many supporters throughout the club’s pre-season tour of America with a series of four accomplished performances as part of a midfield triumvirate.
That no.6 position looks set to be his preference going forward following a conversation with Jose Mourinho earlier this summer and, on the early evidence, there could be a bright future in that role.
Pereira rose through the Academy as an attacking midfielder, or even an occasional forward, with great technical ability and that comfort on the ball is aiding his form in the middle of the park, where his passing is often crisp and intuitive.