Five players who have played for Man United and FC Porto ahead of Europa League clash

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Manchester United are preparing to take on FC Porto in the UEFA Europa League and the two clubs have a history.

Not only do both Manchester United and FC Porto have a history of playing each other in the UEFA Champions League, but they have also shared players down the years.

Erik ten Hag’s United are preparing to play their second game in the UEFA Europa League after the Red Devils drew 1-1 against FC Twente at Old Trafford.

As United prepare to take on the Portuguese side, here are five players who have played for both the Red Devils and FC Porto.

Anderson

Starting off back in 2007 is Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who was brought to United under Sir Alex Ferguson and the Brazilian won the Premier League and the European Cup in his debut season.

The Brazilian midfielder had a plethora of injury problems for the Red Devils throughout his 6-year-stint at the club but showed flashes of brillance for United.

Anderson would eventually announce his retirement back in 2019 but won multiples Premier League titles, as well as Carabao Cups.

Alex Telles

Former United left-back Alex Telles was signed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 affected season from Portuguese side FC Porto.

Telles was brought in to provide competition to Luke Shaw but the Englishman would go on to have a brilliant season under Solskjaer for the Red Devils.

As for Telles, Ralf Rangnick gave him more of an opportunity in the United first team. Telles would eventually depart Old Trafford for Al-Nassr where he would play with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Saidy Janko

The third name on this list is forgotten United ace Saidy Janko. United signed Janko alongside Marouane Fellaini during the summer transfer window of 2013.

Janko arrived at Old Trafford from FC Zurich but was never given a chance to impress under ex-United manager David Moyes.

He joined United in a deal understood to be worth around £700,000 after impressing Red Devils scouts at the FIFA Blue Stars Tournament earlier this year.

Janko was once named the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player Of The Year. However, the defender would never really get a chance at Old Trafford and would eventually move to Celtic before an unsuccessful spell at FC Porto.

Diogo Dalot

United’s first team right-back Diogo Dalot is another player who has played for both FC Porto and the Red Devils.

Dalot was signed for £19 million under Jose Mourinho from the Portuguese side, it has taken a while but the full-back has established himself as a vital player for the Red Devils.

After a loan spell at AC Milan, Dalot has made the right-back position his own but had to fill in at left-back this campaign due to Shaw’s injury struggles for United.

Dalot is one of United’s best trainers according to Benni McCarthy and the Portuguese ace will hope to continue to improve.

Casemiro

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is another player who has played for both Porto and United. United signed Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70 million in 2022.

However, prior to the Brazilian excelling at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casemiro played for Porto and looked very promising for the Portuguese giants hence why his move to Madrid was completed.

Casemiro looks set to play alongside Manuel Ugarte in Portugal with Kobbie Mainoo suffering an injury problem against Spurs. The Brazilian will be hoping to impress his former employers.