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Manchester United and Brazil is a kind of mixtures that simply feels proper. The Pink Devils are a world soccer establishment with one of many richest histories within the sport, and the Seleção is among the few juggernauts of the attractive sport with a pedigree to match.
Nonetheless, it took United over 100 years to dip into the Samba market and their success charge with Brazilian stars is just not impeccable. The irrepressible Matheus Cunha is the most recent addition, turning into the eleventh participant from the serial World Cup winners to function for the membership; here’s a full listing of each Brazilian participant to function for United.
1. Kleberson (2003-2005)
Signed to be the substitute for the sensible if inconsistent Juan Sebastian Veron, Kleberson will at all times be remembered as the primary Brazilian to play for United however for little else, in England a minimum of.
The midfielder joined from Atletico Paranaense in the summertime of 2003 having helped his nation win the World Cup the earlier 12 months – he performed the complete closing alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Cafu, and assisted Ronaldo for the decisive second purpose.
However after arriving at Outdated Trafford similtaneously Cristiano Ronaldo he didn’t make a mark, showing 30 instances throughout two underwhelming seasons earlier than transferring to Besiktas.
2. Anderson (2007-2015)
Anderson arrived with nearly limitless potential, however regardless of some magnificent prospers didn’t blossom into the all-conquering expertise some felt he may have develop into.
He did, nevertheless, win 4 Premier League titles and a Champions League with United throughout a surprisingly lengthy spell with the membership – having been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson his departure was finally sanctioned by Louis van Gaal in 2015, after David Moyes packed him off to Fiorentina on mortgage.
The midfielder made 181 appearances and scored 9 targets, then joined Internacional in his native Brazil.
3. Rodrigo Possebon (2008-2010)
United thought they’d a wonderkid on their arms once they signed Rodrigo Possebon from Internacional, seven years earlier than Anderson travelled the opposite manner. However in the end his affect on the membership was minimal, managing simply eight appearances earlier than he returned to his homeland first for Santos then a string of baffling mortgage spells throughout the nation and past.
4. Rafael da Silva (2008-2015)
The combative right-back seized the chance to interchange Gary Neville with each arms, holding the place down with grit and dedication on his solution to successful three Premier League titles.
Rafael da Silva arrived in Manchester along with his twin Fabio however largely outperformed his brother, turning into an undisputed starter. He was shortlisted for the PFA Younger Participant of the Yr award in 2009 however misplaced out to future teammate Ashley Younger.
He made 170 appearances and scored some belters in purple, totally endearing himself to the Outdated Trafford devoted within the course of, then joined Lyon.
5. Fabio da Silva (2008-2015)
Fabio joined United similtaneously his brother as a part of the identical take care of Fluminense, and managed to remain on the membership for a similar period of time. Throughout these seven years, nevertheless, he didn’t handle to nail down a first-team spot though did play the complete 90 of the ill-fated 2011 Champions League closing towards Barcelona.
Fabio clocked up 56 appearances largely taking part in second fiddle to Patrice Evra, however nonetheless received a Premier League title earlier than being loaned to Queens Park Rangers then bought to Cardiff Metropolis.
6. Andreas Pereira (2012-2022)
It’s exhausting to imagine that the industrious attacking midfielder spent a decade at Outdated Trafford having being plucked from PSV’s academy after a hard-fought race with different high English golf equipment.
After a sequence of loans and notoriously spectacular pre-season shows he lastly turned a first-team choice in 2018, taking part in 63 instances in two seasons whereas by no means actually convincing.
Few tears have been shed when he left on loans first to Lazio then Fluminense, however he ended up as a discount for Fulham who introduced him again to the Premier League the place he seemed a a lot better participant in London than he ever managed in Manchester.
7. Fred (2018-2023)
Fred moved from Shakhtar Donetsk to United in a deal reaching almost £50m, and for some time it was exhausting to see why. However, after an prolonged interval of acclimatisation, he turned a key a part of United’s midfield the place he fashioned the infamous McFred pivot alongside Scott McTominay.
By no means quick on effort, the industrious midfielder racked up 213 appearances for the Pink Devils, scoring 14 targets and helping 19 instances, though arguably his 41 bookings in that point are a greater reflection of his taking part in fashion.
Fred turned an ever-present within the United engine room the place he struggled for a good crack of the whip throughout a troubled time for the membership, then moved to Fenerbahce.
8. Alex Telles (2020-2023)
Signed from Porto to be a direct repair to United’s issues at left again Alex Telles began strongly however shortly light, his status as top-of-the-line on this planet in his place all of the sudden wanting questionable.
Enterprising going ahead however generally fragile in defence, Telles will at all times be one thing of a “what if” participant though did make it to 50 appearances for the membership earlier than leaving for Sevilla.
9. Casemiro (2022-present)
Casemiro’s switch from Actual Madrid was a pinch-me second for United followers who watched on because the midfield normal introduced his limitless expertise to bear on the membership’s ailing engine room.
The five-time Champions League winner adopted up his imperious debut season with some bouts of horrible kind, however ever the skilled he knuckled down and clawed his manner again up the pecking order.
From the underside of the pile to one of many first names on Ruben Amorim’s group sheet, Casemiro’s profession could also be nearing its twilight however he won’t ever be forgotten at Outdated Trafford the place he introduced some much-needed management to the squad. Not for nothing is he seen as top-of-the-line midfielders of his era.
10. Antony (2022-2025)
The fleet-footed winger joined in the identical window as Casemiro however may hardly have had a extra contrasting time of it with United. Regardless of a history-making begin to life in purple, scoring in every of his first three Premier League appearances, Antony and his £86m switch charge turned a logo of Erik ten Hag’s poor recruitment.
He loved a sensational renaissance at Actual Betis on mortgage, and after a summer season of protracted negotiations joined the Spanish aspect for good. He scored 12 targets in 96 video games for United – a poor return on funding, however a few of these strikes have been essential.
11. Matheus Cunha (2025-present)
The most recent Samba star to maneuver to Outdated Trafford, Matheus Cunha’s arrival as one among a brand-new entrance three to deal with United’s continual lack of targets was trigger for nice pleasure after a marvellous season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He made a powerful begin with out making it onto the scoresheet, and opened his account with a beautiful strike towards Brighton and Hove Albion. Cunha seems each bit a United participant, and needs to be a key man for years to return.
Each Brazilian participant to play for Manchester United
| Identify | Years | Video games performed | Objectives scored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kleberson | 2003-2005 | 30 | 2 |
| Anderson | 2007-2015 | 181 | 9 |
| Rodrigo Possebon | 2008-2010 | 8 | 0 |
| Rafael da Silva | 2008-2015 | 170 | 5 |
| Fabio da Silva | 2008-2015 | 56 | 3 |
| Andreas Pereira | 2012-2022 | 75 | 4 |
| Fred | 2018-2023 | 213 | 14 |
| Alex Telles | 2020-2023 | 50 | 1 |
| Casemiro | 2022-present | 135 | 20 |
| Antony | 2022-2025 | 96 | 12 |
| Matheus Cunha | 2025-present | 11 | 1 |
Final up to date: 13 November 2025
Featured picture Shaun Botterill by way of Getty Pictures
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