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Football

06th Apr 2017

Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic apologises to Manchester United youngster over relegation insult

Was a bit harsh

Darragh Murphy

Don’t get on Ivan Rakitic’s bad side.

The Barcelona midfielder proved last weekend that he holds absolutely nothing back in arguments and Granada’s Andreas Pereira was on the receiving end.

Pereira is currently on loan from Manchester United and he’s been a stalwart for the La Liga side, having made 29 appearances this season and scoring four goals in the process.

But despite all of Pereira’s hard work, Granada continue to struggle in La Liga and look destined for the drop.

They currently sit in 19th spot in the league, seven points from safety and Barcelona’s Rakitic didn’t hesitate to remind Pereira of his side’s looming relegation when tempers boiled over during the Catalan club’s 4-1 victory at Granada over the weekend.

The taunt did not go down well among fans as it was considered the height of unsporting behaviour.

But the Croatian international has since come out and apologised to Pereira for his harsh words on Sunday.

“These things can happen out on the pitch, and I’d like to apologise,” Rakitic said, with quotes appearing in Manchester Evening News.

“I didn’t intend to offend anyone, and I’m sorry if I did. I know a lot of people in Granada and I don’t wish any misfortune on anyone.”

Pereira will return to Manchester at the end of this season and he remains intent on fighting for his place under Jose Mourinho.

“It’s my dream to play for United on a regular basis,” Pereira recently told the club website.

“It’s always has been a dream but now I’m here at Granada and I have to focus here to get us out of this situation. My dream will always be there and, next season, I will fight for it.”