MANCHESTER -- Andreas Pereira has said he hopes Manchester United keep Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for "many many more years" after watching the team "evolve" during 12 months under the Norwegian's watch.

Solskjaer celebrated a year in the Old Trafford hotseat with a 3-0 win over Colchester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and Pereira said progress is easy to see.

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"We have evolved a lot," the midfielder said. "Mentally we are more patient, we work for each other more and more and we have more confidence on the pitch.

"It is all the United way we play. On the counter attack. We are very direct and the manager's played a massive part in that. Hopefully we can keep that going and he can stay for many many more years."

Pereira, who played in the centre of midfield against Colchester, has established himself as an important member of the squad this season.

And while he credits Solskjaer with having faith in him, he also said he is indebted to Michael Carrick.

"He has been a massive help to me," Pereira said. "He helps me every day in training.

"He coaches me how to receive the ball and how to break teams down and he played a massive role in the same position I play. He has helped me a lot.

"I study clips of him and I study clips of Paul Scholes and all the United players who payed in the middle but especially Michael.

"At home I am always watching football so I watch video clips and players who played at 10 like Wazza [Wayne Rooney]. I try to study everyone. At the club they also try to help me as they show me videos of myself playing and how I have to do it."

Victory over Colchester set up a two-legged semifinal with Manchester City in the new year. Solskjaer has stressed the importance of a first trophy for his young squad and Pereira said he is keen to get his hands on his first piece of silverware as a United player.

"We are desperate to get a trophy," the Brazil international added. "Everybody at the academy is raised to win trophies.

"We have been winning trophies since the academy days and we want to do it now with the first team."