Manchester United will have a lot of work to do this summer in the transfer market. With Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian set to leave the club and few others being close to the same destiny, it is obvious United will have to get several new players in this summer.
Yet, an interesting thing happened when Jose Mourinho talked about players of certain nationality.
“I worked with Brazilian players in every team I coached and I enjoyed them a lot – everything they can give and every problem they can create! Who knows? We can have a Brazilian in the squad next year. I don’t believe it will be Willian, Chelsea won’t make it possible”, Mourinho said to the English media.
This quote already made it clear the Chelsea player will not be going in the same direction Nemanja Matic went last summer, but there was a hint Manchester United could sign a Brazilian player. This might not be much, but it is not impossible United are already trying to work things out with someone of Brazilian descent.
Who could it be, then?
Richarlison, Watford
The Watford youngster had a very good first half of his debut Premier League season. He scored five goals and made four assists, but managed to achieve all of that between August and early December. He has not scored a goal since 19 November, which was more than five months ago.
His talent is obvious but there is still no obvious reason to believe he could be a player of Manchester United calibre. Richarlison was recently often linked with United even though his performances are not improving for months. It is hard seeing him at Carrington next summer.
Malcom, Girondins de Bordeaux
We talked about this guy so many times and the story is similar to that of Richarlison. Malcom scored nine times this season and added six assists and last winter many Premier League clubs, United included, were reported to be interested in his services. However, since then he has not looked as sharp.
Manchester United will probably not hurry to get him. Malcom is still 21 and could still develop significantly, but at this point, there is no time for United to be the club to develop him. Tottenham might be the club ready to make a gamble, where he could get more playing time. But that is all hypothetical. Malcom at United this summer? Probably not.
Fabinho, AS Monaco
This is where things get interesting and this is the player United could really go for this summer. Fabinho simply has plenty of positives about him not to seriously consider him. He will turn just 25, but he has already been one of crucial players at Monaco for several seasons. Fabinho won Ligue 1 last term and played in Champions League semifinal.
More importantly, Fabinho is a very good central/defensive midfielder, who would be able to fit well alongside Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba. His defensive displays are solid, he knows how to get the ball back and is strong in aerial duels. Yet, his technical skills are at a high level, too. He knows how to hold on to ball and distribute it around. Of all three, he is by far the best choice for United.
Fabinho would definitely be the best choice.