Manchester United has signed players from all over the world, but when it comes to Brazilians, the hit rate has been rough. Only 10 guys from Brazil have played for United in the Premier League, and more than a few of them are remembered for the wrong reasons.
With rumors heating up about Matheus Cunha potentially heading to Old Trafford, we figured it was a good time to rank every Brazilian who’s suited up for United in the Premier League era. From the guy who couldn’t stay healthy to the twin who actually made it work, here’s how they stack up.
10. Rodrigo Possebon
Possebon arrived in 2008 with a big reputation as a prospect. Then Emmanuel Pogatetz happened. A horrific tackle in a League Cup game basically ended his time at United before it started. Eight senior appearances in two and a half years, then back to Brazil with Santos in 2010. One of those what-could-have-been stories.
9. Antony
United paid Ajax over £80 million for Antony in 2022. That number looks worse every season. Erik ten Hag wanted him badly, but Antony never looked remotely close to justifying that fee. A loan to Real Betis in 2025 felt like the closing chapter. Most people around the club quietly admit they got absolutely rinsed on this one.
8. Kléberson
He was a World Cup winner in 2002, so the pedigree was real. But after joining United in 2003, he got hurt in his second game and never really recovered. Twenty-eight more appearances over two seasons, then shipped off to Besiktas. Kléberson himself told the Manchester Evening News in 2019 that injuries and criticism made it a brutal experience.
7. Alex Telles
There was genuine buzz when Telles came from Porto in 2020. He’d been putting up assists in Portugal and looking dangerous in the Champions League. Then Luke Shaw randomly turned into one of the best left-backs in Europe. Even when Shaw regressed, Telles couldn’t grab the starting job. The timing was just awful.
6. Andreas Pereira
Pereira joined United at 16 and made his debut in that infamous 4-0 loss to MK Dons. He spent time on loan at Granada and Valencia, then came back to Old Trafford looking like he might actually break through. Even got a Brazil call-up in 2018. But he couldn’t sustain it, and a bunch more loans followed before he found a home at Fulham, where he’s been solid.
5. Casemiro
That first season at United was genuinely great. Casemiro looked like the midfield general the club had been missing for years. But the drop-off hit hard and fast. He’s still one of the best holding midfielders of his generation, but he’s clearly not that guy anymore. Somewhere in the middle of this list feels right.
4. Fábio
Fábio came over from Fluminense in 2008 with his twin brother Rafael. People thought he might be the better of the two. But Patrice Evra was just too consistent at left-back, so Fábio never got a real run. He still made over 50 appearances and played in the 2011 Champions League final. Ended up at Cardiff City in 2014.
3. Fred
Fred is one of those players people either loved or hated. The £52 million price tag felt heavy, especially after a brutal first season. But give him credit: he stayed professional, got better, and by the end, a lot of fans actually missed him when he left for Fenerbahce in 2023. He was chaotic but competitive.
2. Anderson
Anderson’s debut season was electric. He scored a penalty in that wild 2008 Champions League final shootout against Chelsea and instantly became a cult hero. Injuries kept him from ever reaching his full potential, but he still won four Premier League titles and a Champions League. For a lot of guys, that’s a dream career.
1. Rafael
Rafael was the real success story. He locked down right-back after Gary Neville retired and played with the kind of fire that made him a fan favorite. Three Premier League titles, a Champions League win, and a genuine connection with the supporters. It fell apart after Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, with David Moyes and Louis van Gaal not rating him, but for a few years there, Rafael was exactly what United needed.
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