Every Brazilian player to play for Manchester United

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The Peoples Person

·14 November 2025

Every Brazilian player to play for Manchester United

Manchester United and Brazil is one of those combinations that just feels right. The Red Devils are a global football institution with one of the richest histories in the sport, and the Seleção is one of the few juggernauts of the beautiful game with a pedigree to match.

Nevertheless, it took United over 100 years to dip into the Samba market and their success rate with Brazilian stars is not impeccable. The irrepressible Matheus Cunha is the latest addition, becoming the eleventh player from the serial World Cup winners to feature for the club; here is a complete list of every Brazilian player to feature for United.

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1. Kleberson (2003-2005)

Signed to be the replacement for the brilliant if inconsistent Juan Sebastian Veron, Kleberson will always be remembered as the first Brazilian to play for United but for little else, in England at least.

The midfielder joined from Atletico Paranaense in the summer of 2003 having helped his country win the World Cup the previous year – he played the full final alongside the likes of Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Cafu, and assisted Ronaldo for the decisive second goal.

But after arriving at Old Trafford at the same time as Cristiano Ronaldo he failed to make a mark, appearing 30 times across two underwhelming seasons before moving to Besiktas.

2. Anderson (2007-2015)

Anderson arrived with almost limitless potential, but despite some magnificent flourishes didn’t blossom into the all-conquering talent some felt he could have become.

He did, however, win four Premier League titles and a Champions League with United across a surprisingly long spell with the club – having been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson his departure was eventually sanctioned by Louis van Gaal in 2015, after David Moyes packed him off to Fiorentina on loan.

The midfielder made 181 appearances and scored nine goals, then joined Internacional in his native Brazil.

3. Rodrigo Possebon (2008-2010)

United thought they had a wonderkid on their hands when they signed Rodrigo Possebon from Internacional, seven years before Anderson travelled the other way. But ultimately his impact at the club was minimal, managing just eight appearances before he returned to his homeland first for Santos then a string of baffling loan spells across the country and beyond.

4. Rafael da Silva (2008-2015)

The combative right-back seized the opportunity to replace Gary Neville with both hands, holding the position down with grit and determination on his way to winning three Premier League titles.

Rafael da Silva arrived in Manchester with his twin Fabio but mostly outperformed his brother, becoming an undisputed starter. He was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2009 but lost out to future teammate Ashley Young.

He made 170 appearances and scored some belters in red, thoroughly endearing himself to the Old Trafford faithful in the process, then joined Lyon.

5. Fabio da Silva (2008-2015)

Fabio joined United at the same time as his brother as part of the same deal with Fluminense, and managed to stay at the club for the same amount of time. During those seven years, however, he didn’t manage to nail down a first-team spot although did play the full 90 of the ill-fated 2011 Champions League final against Barcelona.

Fabio clocked up 56 appearances largely playing second fiddle to Patrice Evra, but still won a Premier League title before being loaned to Queens Park Rangers then sold to Cardiff City.

6. Andreas Pereira (2012-2022)

It’s hard to believe that the industrious attacking midfielder spent a decade at Old Trafford having being plucked from PSV’s academy after a hard-fought race with other top English clubs.

After a series of loans and notoriously impressive pre-season displays he finally became a first-team option in 2018, playing 63 times in two seasons while never really convincing.

Few tears were shed when he left on loans first to Lazio then Fluminense, but he ended up as a bargain for Fulham who brought him back to the Premier League where he looked a much better player in London than he ever managed in Manchester.

7. Fred (2018-2023)

Fred moved from Shakhtar Donetsk to United in a deal reaching nearly £50m, and for a while it was hard to see why. But, after an extended period of acclimatisation, he became a key part of United’s midfield where he formed the notorious McFred pivot alongside Scott McTominay.

Never short on effort, the industrious midfielder racked up 213 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 14 goals and assisting 19 times, although arguably his 41 bookings in that time are a better reflection of his playing style.

Fred became an ever-present in the United engine room where he struggled for a fair crack of the whip during a troubled time for the club, then moved to Fenerbahce.

8. Alex Telles (2020-2023)

Signed from Porto to be an immediate fix to United’s problems at left back Alex Telles started strongly but quickly faded, his reputation as one of the best in the world in his position suddenly looking questionable.

Enterprising going forward but sometimes fragile in defence, Telles will always be something of a “what if” player although did make it to 50 appearances for the club before leaving for Sevilla.

9. Casemiro (2022-present)

Casemiro’s transfer from Real Madrid was a pinch-me moment for United fans who watched on as the midfield general brought his limitless experience to bear on the club’s ailing engine room.

The five-time Champions League winner followed up his imperious debut season with some bouts of terrible form, but ever the professional he knuckled down and clawed his way back up the pecking order.

From the bottom of the pile to one of the first names on Ruben Amorim’s team sheet, Casemiro’s career may be nearing its twilight but he will never be forgotten at Old Trafford where he brought some much-needed leadership to the squad. Not for nothing is he seen as one of the best midfielders of his generation.

10. Antony (2022-2025)

The fleet-footed winger joined in the same window as Casemiro but could hardly have had a more contrasting time of it with United. Despite a history-making start to life in red, scoring in each of his first three Premier League appearances, Antony and his £86m transfer fee became a symbol of Erik ten Hag’s poor recruitment.

He enjoyed a sensational renaissance at Real Betis on loan, and after a summer of protracted negotiations joined the Spanish side for good. He scored 12 goals in 96 games for United – a poor return on investment, but some of those strikes were crucial.

11. Matheus Cunha (2025-present)

The latest Samba star to move to Old Trafford, Matheus Cunha’s arrival as one of a brand-new front three to address United’s chronic lack of goals was cause for great excitement after a marvellous season at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He made a strong start without making it onto the scoresheet, and opened his account with a lovely strike against Brighton and Hove Albion. Cunha looks every bit a United player, and should be a key man for years to come.