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Jose Mourinho has confirmed Manchester United will not recall Andreas Pereira this month and has a 'little concern' about the Brazilian's role at Valencia.

Pereira, 22, joined Valencia on a season-long loan after the summer transfer window closed for English clubs in a move that was criticised by Mourinho at the time.

United inserted the option of a January recall into Pereira's deal but the Brazilian has started 15 times - 10 of them coming in the league - and made six substitute appearances for the third-placed La Liga side.

Pereira has primarily played on the right wing, having spent most of his spell last term with relegated La Liga side Granada on the left. Mourinho has struggled to find an established right winger this term, having used Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford there, and Mourinho has claimed Pereira is playing in a role which 'doesn't exist' at United.

"No, no," Mourinho said of the possibility of recalling Pereira. "Pereira is happy. He's playing. My only little concern is that he's playing in a position that doesn't exist in Manchester United.

"They're playing in a total different system than us and he plays in a position that we don't have. We will need an update in relation to that. But the experience he's having, playing in a good competition, in a good club, in a difficult club because it's a club with big fanbase, with pressure around, I think is an amazing experience for him and we are happy to let him (stay) there.

"Sam Johnstone in Aston Villa is playing all the time and is an important player for them and they are going to fight for promotion, we are also happy to have him there.

"Tim Fosu-Mensah's getting matches in Crystal Palace so nobody is coming [back]."

United considered signing Bordeaux right winger Malcom in the January transfer window until Alexis Sanchez became attainable and remain open to signing Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale in the summer. Pereira is contracted to United until 2019 and the club has the option of an additional year.

United have already loaned out James Wilson to Championship side Sheffield United and Demetri Mitchell to Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts this month and are considering letting Axel Tuanzebe join Villa until May.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson and defender Regan Poole are on season-long loans at League One clubs Shrewsbury and Northampton Town but Devonte Redmond and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson have returned early from forgettable loans with Scunthorpe and Leeds.

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