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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has criticised Andreas Pereira's decision to join Valencia on a season-long loan.

Pereira, 21, joined Valencia on Spanish deadline day last week just 24 hours after the transfer window for English clubs closed, having seemed set to remain at United until January at the earliest.

The Brazilian returned to United from a season-long loan at Granada in the summer and figured heavily in pre-season, where he played in central midfield.

However, Pereira was omitted from United's four matchday squads in August following the £35million addition of Nemanja Matic and angled to leave on loan. Mourinho revealed United have the option of recalling Pereira on January 1 but believes his determination to leave on suggests he is not ready to play for United.

"Andreas Pereira was a personal decision that I don't agree with," Mourinho said. "A decision I don't think honestly I don't think 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, and fighting to be a Manchester United player.

"I think his decision can be considered a decision of a young player who wants to play every weekend but can also be considered a decision by a young player that is not ready to fight for something difficult and it's difficult to play in the Manchester United midfield.

"You have to be ready to fight for a position and I am a bit disappointed that he left. But okay, it was his decision, I open the door for his decision, he has a long-term contract, we have the option to bring him back on January 1, so we have that situation under control. It is not a drama but is a decision that disappoints me a little bit."

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