Manchester United loanee Andreas Pereira put fans on alert on Wednesday when he scored a spectacular free-kick from 30 yards out.
It was a reminder of his pure talent. And while United fans are well aware of his capabilities, the Brazilian has struggled to consistently perform in Manchester, leading him to leave the club on loan for the fourth time this summer, now on loan at Flamengo.
With an array of attacking midfield options now at the club and Pereira having been loaned out in the summer, he may very well have played his last game at Old Trafford.
In Brazil though, he's certainly having a resurgence. And with Flamengo having the option to sign him for just £16.9 million - could United call him back into the fold?
So far, the United academy graduate has scored three goals for his new club, including a magnificent 30-yard free-kick in their Serie A clash against Juventude last night.
Pereira has previously spent three seasons away from United during loan spells at Granada, Valencia and Lazio — impressing in fits and starts — but he's proving more consistent for Flamengo.
Flamengo, based in Rio de Janeiro, are back-to-back Serie A champions, having won the league in 2019 and 2020.
The club currently sit second in the league, with the help with Pereira, but are 11 points adrift of Atletico Mineiro — who have brought in Hulk, Diego Costa and former Liverpool youngster Allan.
And although Flamengo may struggle to capture their third consecutive title this year, fans, teammates and pundits have been blown away by Pereira's emergence.
Former Flamengo star Junior said: "He plays more or less like Gerson, but he is much faster. He's also more dynamic than Gerson was.
"He fights very hard, he comes from a school of play, the English game, in which you need to battle, and that might have been what was missing in this Flamengo team."
United fans will not be too surprised to see Pereira thrive in Brazil. They've seen his capabilities themselves.
Previously dubbed the 'pre-season Pirlo', Periera has put in impressive performances in his 45 games for United.
Becoming a regular performer has been where he's struggled, leaving him on the outside looking in.
With United given Flamengo an option to buy the 25-year-old at the end of the season, his days at the club look like they're numbered, despite his contract running until June 2023.
All eyes will be on how much Pereira develops this season, and the decision United take next summer when he will have 12 months left on his deal and it will be make or break.
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