After a summer of suffering, Manchester United are finally closing in on a major midfield signing with a £59.2million deal for Real Madrid star Casemiro in the works.
The Brazilian is one of the best midfielders in world football, and has been for some time, helping Madrid win five Champions League titles and three La Liga medals since signing in 2013. Casemiro is set to become one of the most successful midfielders to ever join United, and would reunite with former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo should the Portuguese star stay put.
United have also been targeting Ajax winger Antony, as Erik ten Hag looks to bring the Brazilian duo to Old Trafford. However. despite United’s long and industrious history only eight Brazilians have ever played for the Red Devils, and here Daily Star Sport ranks how they’ve fared for the club.
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Kleberson
(Image: PA)
United were all about the next wave of talent in 2003, and Kleberson was signed alongside Ronaldo after starring for Atletico Paranaense. The midfielder became the first ever Brazilian to play for United, although he didn’t quite make the same impact as Ronaldo.
Kleberson only made 20 league appearances for United over a two-year stint, and was sold to Besiktas in 2005 before heading back to Brazil to try and rediscover his form. The midfielder still continued to get picked for the national team, but failed to produce the talent that the likes of Kaka, Ronaldinho and Gilberto did alongside him for Brazil.
Ultimately, it was a failed move for United, but it didn’t alter their success under Sir Alex Ferguson. The midfielder now coaches at New York City FC after moving to the United States in 2014.
Anderson
Two years after Kleberson departed, United attempted to try their luck again by signing Anderson, who enjoyed a breakthrough season with Porto. Having already been on United’s radar from his days at Gremio, the Red Devils signed him after just one season at Porto, and brought him into a talented squad in 2007.
Anderson stayed at United for a total of eight years, but don’t let that convince you that he was a hit at Old Trafford. Only during his first season did the midfielder play more than half of their Premier League games, and the Brazilian acted as a squad player for the rest of his time at the club.
The Brazilian left United with a near-perfect trophy record, with only the FA Cup missing from his collection by the time he left Old Trafford. Anderson was an upgrade on Kleberson, but didn’t pose much wow factor.
Rodrigo Possebon
(Image: Getty)
Rodrigo Possebon is a name that Ferguson may not even remember, with the midfielder only making eight league appearances during his time at United, and none of them were memorable. The Brazilian signed in 2008, but was gone by 2010 rolled around, and half of his time was spent on loan at FC Braga.
Not even Braga wanted the midfielder, as Possebon only made one appearance while out on loan, and playing time was a missing factor from the Brazilian’s career. Possebon had a professional career spanning ten years, but somehow only made 82 appearances in all competitions.
Possebon represented 11 different clubs over the course of his career, but managed to continue without appearing much for any side. The midfielder is still only 33, but hasn’t played football since 2018.
Rafael
United signed three Brazilian’s in 2008, with two of them being twin brothers as full-back pairing Rafael and Fabio arrived at Old Trafford. The brothers were brought in to provide pressure for United’s current full-backs, with Patrice Evra and Gary Neville the main starters.
Rafael ended up replacing Neville after he retired in 2011, and remained at the club until 2015 before moving to Lyon. The Brazilian was an excellent asset to United, and although he didn’t blow anyone away, he was extremely consistent.
Over 100 Premier League appearances were racked up by Rafael, with five goals coming in that time. The right-back is one of the best Brazilians to ever represent United.
Fabio
(Image: GETTY)
The other Da Silva twin was Fabio, and like with most brothers, one was certainly better than the other. United are used to housing brothers in the full-back area with both Phil and Gary Neville previously playing for the club, and once again one of them was held in higher regard than the other.
Fabio was not as impressive as his brother, and only made 22 Premier League appearances during a six-year stint at Old Trafford. Fabio departed United a year earlier than Rafael, leaving in 2014 to join Cardiff City.
The left-back found success elsewhere in England after starring for Cardiff when signing for Middlesbrough, and is currently still playing at Nantes. The 32-year-old has been in France since 2018, but has seen his game time limited.
Andreas Pereira
(Image: Getty Images)
Andreas Pereira is an anomaly on this list, as he came through the United youth academy rather than being signed as a professional. After being snapped up from PSV Eindhoven’s academy, Pereira was seen as a future star at United, with the midfielder looking to succeed where his countryman have failed in that area at Old Trafford.
However, it never really worked out for Pereira at United, and he spent most of his time out on loan. Four loan spells came within the eight years he spent as a professional at United, and he completed a permanent move to Fulham this summer.
Out of all the Brazilian midfielders to play for United, Pereira perhaps has the most natural flair and ability, but he wasn’t able to show it on the big occasions. But at the age of just 26, there’s still plenty of time to demonstrate this at Fulham.
Fred
United have always been desperate to sign that star Brazilian midfielder, and they really gambled with Fred back in 2018. £47million was spent on the former Shakhtar Donetsk star, but it really hasn’t been value for money.
After seeing the success that Manchester City found from Donetsk with Fernandinho, United though Fred was the next big thing. But the Brazilian has never really delivered, and United have been chasing that star midfielder ever since.
Fred did experience a slight improvement in form last season, scoring four goals in what was otherwise an awful year for United. However, the 29-year-old has surely shown everything he has to offer by now, and it’s definitely not worth £47m.
Alex Telles
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
United now have four first-team left-backs within their ranks, and Tyrell Malacia’s arrival has surely signalled the end of Telles’ time at Old Trafford. The Brazilian was signed in 2020 for what appeared to be a bargain £15m, as Luke Shaw not only needed competition, but struggled with injury.
Telles was Porto’s captain, and came off the back of scoring 13 goals in all competitions during the 2019/20 season before United swooped in. But although his game time increased under Ralf Rangnick, his ‘bargain’ move has ended up being a failure.
The 29-year-old has failed to produce the same level of performance as he did in Porto, and is now linked with a move away from United before the summer deadline. Although arriving with a lot of promise and for a small fee in the current market, it’s change United should’ve saved.
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