Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira could leave on loan as he bids to realise Olympic dream

Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira has revealed that he dreams of representing Brazil at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, but concedes that a decision over his immediate future rests with the club amid rumours over a possible January loan exit.

After making his competitive senior debut during a Capital One Cup second-round humiliation at MK Dons last term, the 20-year-old has featured sporadically for Louis van Gaal's side so far in 2015-16. He started the cup ties against Championship duo Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough, but his limited involvement in the Premier League has come exclusively as a substitute.

He was given an hour against Bournemouth in December following a first-half injury to Jesse Lingard and also provided a 13-minute cameo during the nervy FA Cup win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford on 9 January, before being left on the bench for fixtures against Newcastle United and Liverpool.

Belgian-born Pereira is a regular for United's U21 side, yet despite that has previously spoken of his desire to play more first-team football. The Daily Mail has already credited surprise title contenders Leicester City with an interest in taking him on loan until the end of the season, and such a deal appears increasingly likely as the player seeks to realise his international ambitions.

Speaking to Globo Esporte, he said: "I'm a United player, [but] I've seen in the press that there are various other clubs interested. I don't know if United want to loan me out but I'm working hard to get more opportunities. It's their decision.

"I'm focused on doing my job at United, [but] of course I want to be more visible to those in Brazil. So I need to play more and get more chances. Playing in the Olympics is a big dream of mine."

The Brazilian outlet further suggested that Leicester have already made contact with both United and Pereira's representatives in order to discuss a potential deal, while former club PSV Eindhoven and La Liga outfit Malaga are said to have done likewise.

Although he was raised in Belgium and represented the country at early youth levels, Pereira since declared for Brazil and was a member of the Selecao team that finished runners-up at the U20 World Cup in New Zealand last year. He appeared in six of seven matches, scoring against both Hungary and in the 2-1 final defeat to Serbia in Auckland.