---
title: "United keeper heads out on loan"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/10/16/united-keeper-heads-loan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd Transfer News"
published: "2015-10-16T17:24:17Z"
modified: "2015-10-16T17:24:17Z"
---

# United keeper heads out on loan

Manchester United goalkeeper Joel Castro Pereira has joined League One side Rochdale on a one-month youth loan.

The 19-year old, who has been called up to the Portugal under-21 squad in recent times, will challenge Josh Lillis for a first-team spot during his time at Spotland.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill expressed his excitement at working with Pereira on the [club’s official website](https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/article/joel-castro-pereira-joins-rochdale-on-loan-2747200.aspx). “I’m really pleased to be working with him. He’s an exciting goalkeeper. His distribution is flamboyant and his ability in goal is absolutely magnificent,” he said.

![Chris Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/10/482026218.jpg)

“He comes in to push Josh \[Lillis\] and Johny \[Diba\], and one of the main reasons for bringing him in is that we feel Johny is missing out on essential game time.”

Rochdale’s goalkeeping coach Steve Collis echoed Hills’ thoughts, saying: “Joel is at Manchester United and he’s there for a reason. He comes highly recommended. We got a chance to see him in the Lancashire Senior Cup game against United at Altrincham in the summer and he looked to be an exciting goalkeeper.”

He added: “We’re bringing him in to enhance the goalkeeping department – to push Josh \[Lillis\] and to help Johny get some game time \[with the youth team\].”

Pereira has played one game for the United under-21s this season – a 1-1 draw against Leicester that kicked off the campaign for the side, and with the side having not played for the past month or so, this loan move will be a great chance for the Portuguese keeper to gain experience at a higher level and hopefully attain some playing time in the process.