Flamengo manager Dorival Junior has declared he wants to keep hold of Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira.

Fla and United have failed to find an agreement over a fee for Pereira, who joined the Brazilian giants last August on-loan.

Fla have the option to turn Pereira's loan spell into a permanent deal at £8.9million (€10.5m), but the club, according to various reports, is not expected to exercise that option. It means that the 26-year-old, who is out of contract at Old Trafford next summer, will return to M16 ahead of the start of the new season.

"It's just an opinion. I hope he stays," said Dorival. "Players of this level, players with this potential, are few in Brazil. I have no doubt that this boy can still grow a lot, he can evolve a lot.

"How will it happen? I don't know, but it would be really nice if we could hold onto this kid because he has a lot of qualities. He is a player that draws attention in any way. He has growth potential, players of that level are scarce at the moment within this country."