Manchester United have reportedly lined up a move for Braga centre-back David Carmo as an alternative to Jurrien Timber, according to the MEN.
Erik ten Hag seems intent on bringing familiar faces Timber and Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford this summer, but as of yet a move for either of the Netherlands internationals has not yet been agreed.
United will only push ahead with a move for the 22-year-old Carmo if a move for Ten Hag’s number one defensive target Timber falls through.
The highly-rated Portuguese centre-halve has been called-up to the Portugal squad, but is yet to make his debut for Fernando Santos’ side.
Carmo was first linked with a move to Manchester United a year ago, in a report via ESPN. His contract at Braga, which contains a £35million release clause inserted, according to A Bola, expires in 2025.
The left-footed defender who stands at 6ft 5 made 16 appearances this season after missing the opening six months of the campaign due to an ankle fracture.
With Carmo linked with a switch to M16 this summer, United in Focus ranks Manchester United’s signings from Portuguese clubs.
Manchester United’s signings from Portuguese clubs
9- Bebe
It gets better we promise!! Bebe, who represented Portugal in the homeless World Cup, was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for £7m from Vitória de Guimarães in August 2010, following a recommendation from Carlos Queiroz.
Bebe played seven times for Manchester United and scored two goals, but after loan spells with Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos Ferreira, he moved to Benfica in July 2014.
The 31-year-old Cape Verde international is currently playing in La Liga for Ray Vallecano alongside fellow former United flop Radamel Falcao.
8- Alex Telles
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed the Brazilian international from Porto for £13.6m in October 2020 to provide quality competition for Luke Shaw.
The 29-year-old arrived in England after establishing himself as one of the most attack-minded left-backs across Europe and while he adds quality with his delivery from the wide areas, he needs to improve the defensive side of his game.
United’s number 27 will be hoping to form a key part of Ten Hag’s tenure.
7 – Victor Lindelof
Sweden’s national captain has been a Manchester United player for five years since being signed from Benfica for £31m by Jose Mourinho.
There are times where Lindelof looks a quality ball-playing centre-back, but there have also been regular occurrences where he gets physically dominated or simply looks out of his depth.
The 27-year-old’s contract at Old Trafford expires in 2024, and with Ten Hag targeting defensive reinforcements, United’s number two could find himself as the club’s fourth choice centre-back.
6 – Marcos Rojo
Unlike Lindelof, Rojo didn’t shirk a physical battle and the Argentine instead thrived on throwing himself into some crunching tackles and winning aerial duels.
Signed for £16m from Sporting Lisbon by Louis van Gaal in August 2014 – Rojo often played on the edge of being too over zealous, but his commitment to the cause could not be questioned.
He was a key part of Mourinho’s 2016-17 side before suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury against Anderlecht. The 32-year-old, who is one of seven Argentinian players who played for Manchester United, is currently playing for Boca Juniors.
5 – Diogo Dalot
Mourinho described Dalot as the “best young full-back in Europe” upon the right-back’s arrival from Porto for £19m in June 2018.
The 23-year-old made 30 appearances for Manchester United this season and with question marks surrounding Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s long-term future at the club under Ten Hag, the Portuguese international could well have the chance to establish himself as the club’s number one right-back.
Dalot hasn’t as of yet lived up to the potential for which Mourinho labelled him, but times on his side and Ten Hag could be the man to take his career to the next level.
4 – Anderson
The 2008 Golden Boy winner had the potential to become one of the best midfielders across Europe and for the Brazilian national team.
Anderson spent seven-and-a-half years at Old Trafford after joining from Porto for a fee of around £26m in July 2007.
But he struggled with injuries, fitness and seemingly a desire to take his career to a new level. He played 181 times for the club and was a member of the side that won the Champions League in 2008, scoring a penalty in the shootout victory over Chelsea in Moscow.
The 34-year-old, who has already called time on his playing career, won just nine caps for the Brazilian national side and he’s one of seven Brazilian players who played for Manchester United.
When fit and chosen by Sir Alex in big games – Anderson relished the opportunity to outshine the likes of Steven Gerrard and Cesc Fabregas.
3 – Nani
Nani followed in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo and arrived at Old Trafford via Sporting Lisbon. The dazzling winger arrived in the summer of 2007, in the same window which saw the Red Devils sign Anderson, Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez.
Nani’s best years with the Reds came when he stepped up following Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old struggled to shine under David Moyes and Van Gaal in the same way he did for Sir Alex. The former Portugal international is currently playing in Italy for Venezia.
He finished his Manchester United career with 41 goals and 73 assists from 230 matches. He won 12 trophies with the Reds – four Premier Leagues, 2008 Champions League, Club World Championship, two League Cups and four Community Shields.
2 – Bruno Fernandes
If it wasn’t for a certain five-time Ballon d’Or winner – Fernandes would be ranked top of Manchester United’s signings from Portuguese clubs.
United’s Portuguese ‘Magnifico’ has been a revelation since his move from Sporting Lisbon for an initial £47m in January 2020.
Prior to Ronaldo’s return, Fernandes was the driving force in United’s renaissance under Solskjaer and Ten Hag will undoubtedly be looking forward to working with the creative marvel.
The 27-year-old has scored 50 goals and provided 39 assists for Manchester United from 126 games, and Fernandes will be desperate to get his hands on his first trophy as a United player.
1 – Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United paid a similar price to re-sign one of the greatest footballers of all time to what Sir Alex paid to originally sign him in 2003.
The Reds spent £12.2m to sign Ronaldo at the age of 18 and during his first six years with the club he won the Champions League, three Premier Leagues, FA Cup, Club World Championship and the Ballon d’Or.
Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer for a second chapter, following a £12.8m move, and he finished the season as United’s top scorer with 24 goals across all competitions.
The 37-year-old remains United’s main man and despite being part of a United side that amassed their worst points total in Premier League history – United’s famous number seven remains committed to playing a starring role in helping the club get back to the top, under Ten Hag.