VIEIRA KEEN TO KICK ON

VIEIRA KEEN TO KICK ON

Young midfielder reflects on Saturday's win over Atalanta...

Ronaldo Vieira is keen to remain within the first-team fold after finishing pre-season with a Man-of-the-Match-winning display in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Atalanta at Elland Road.

The 18-year-old, who made his senior debut as a late substitute on the final day of the last campaign, has featured heavily under Garry Monk throughout United’s summer schedule of friendly fixtures.

Vieira played 82 minutes and caught the eye in Saturday’s pre-season-closing win against the Serie A side, and the young midfielder hopes to remain in the picture as attentions turn to United’s Championship opener away to Queens Park Rangers this Sunday.

“I was over the moon to get Man of the Match in my first game with the first-team at Elland Road,” Vieira said.

“Right now, I’ve been with the first-team throughout pre-season and I want to stay here with them. We’ll see how it goes.

“It’s a young squad but they’re all behind you and they don’t complain when you make a mistake.

“I gave the ball away on Saturday and they ended up scoring, but everyone said ‘Head up Ronnie, keep going’. That’s good for the team.

“The gaffer tells us to be brave. I gave the ball away but I kept my head up and kept going. I had to forget about it and do better.”

Reflecting on the game, Vieira added: “I thought we did well on Saturday.

“We practiced throughout the week for the game and we put in everything we practiced - maybe we could just keep the ball a bit better but that will come.

“It’s always important to get a win because that motivates the team and everyone around it – we’re going into the first league game very motivated.

“Atalanta were good tactically but we practiced and trained towards the game. The gaffer and all the coaches told us what to do, we did that and I think that was what won us the game.

“It was just a friendly but it was still a fantastic crowd. Hopefully, when the season starts, there’ll be even more here and I’ll enjoy it even more.”

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