Players from other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham, have already returned to their training facilities under strict conditions, while the majority of top-flight squads remain in self-isolation.

United players who were based abroad during the coronavirus outbreak have been told to return to the UK and Pereira has confirmed plans are in place to restart training at Carrington later this month.

“We had a meeting and were told that if everything is going well, we’ll be back in training on May 18 in groups of six,” Pereira told Globo Esporte.

“If that goes well, a week or two later, we’ll be able to train as a group.

“There will be six players training initially and there won’t be much contact between us. We’ll still be separated and training in different parts of the pitch. Those precautions have to be followed.

“I don’t know who’ll be in my group yet.”

Pereira is enjoying his most successful season at United since breaking into the first team in 2014, making 37 appearances in all competitions before the coronavirus outbreak.

The Belgian-born Brazilian, who is under contract with United until 2023, says he is happy to remain at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future but would welcome a move to “another big club” before the end of his career.

“Right now I’m focused on Manchester United and playing well,” he said.

“This season, for the first time, I’ve felt like a starter at the club, so I’m focused on cementing my place and playing well.

“I’m very happy now at the moment but, as a player, I’d like to play for another big club. I really like clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

“At the moment, I’m focused on my football here at Manchester United, where they’ve given me everything since I was 16.

“I’d happily stay here until I’ve won the lot and I’d then move to Santos. I don’t think I’d play for another English club. I can’t see that happening.”

Pereira says he intends to finish his career with Santos, the club he grew up supporting as a boy.

He said: “It’s already clear to me. I want to finish my career at Santos, but I’m not thinking about doing so when I’m old, as many people have been saying.