Manchester United are doing a fine job of planning for the future while strengthening the present team, and the latest scouting mission seems to hint at the same.
After signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and (soon) Benjamin Sesko, the first team has been given a huge dose of quality.
Add Diego Leon’s breakthrough to the mix, and the first team is looking rosy right now, especially if a midfielder is added to the squad.
That has allowed them to supercharge their recruitment for the future as well, with an exciting Brazilian wonderkid squarely on their radar.
Man Utd scout Ricardo Mathias
United have signed Sesko and are willing to let Rasmus Hojlund leave, ideally on a permanent transfer.
Clearly, Ruben Amorim rates Joshua Zirkzee higher than Hojlund, and with Chido Obi waiting in the wings, the striker future looks exciting.
Brazilian outlet Globo report that United are looking to further strengthen those ranks as their scouts were spotted watching Internacional’s wonderkid, Ricardo Mathias.
Mathias, who turned 19 in July, had his breakthrough season for the team in 2024/25, and the striker is quickly getting on the radar of European clubs.
Mathias was marked as a ‘very talented’ player by his manager, Roger Machado, after a talismanic performance in May, as per Azscore.
For United, this is an exciting prospect that continues their efforts to penetrate the South American market which was a huge source of untapped potential previously.
Mathias’ senior football experience is limited to less than ten games worth of minutes (637), so this move would clearly be one for the future if it happens.
At the same time, the fact that Mathias has grabbed attention despite such a small sample size proves he’s got what it takes to eventually break through in Europe.
Analysing Mathias’ potential and fit at Man Utd
It goes without saying that United scouting a player doesn’t mean the player will sign for the club, but if it has been widely reported, it clearly means there’s no smoke without fire.
Therefore, it’s worth looking at Mathias as a player and see how he could fit in at Old Trafford if he makes a move in the next year or so.
Mathias falls right alongside the likes of Sesko and Hojlund in terms of a pure physical profile, as he cuts an imposing figure which would be to Amorim’s liking.
He stands at 6’3″, and with pace to add to that frame, the comparisons to the striker United have seemingly just signed will be inevitable.
Of course, Mathias is far away from what Sesko was at the same age, but he has the raw tools to dominate, with some polishing needed to improve his game intelligence and defensive contributions.
If he signs for United in the next year or so, expect a loan first, since he’s not ready for the first-team, even as a backup player.
Staying one more year at Internacional to build on his breakout campaign would be the smart course of action.
If he manages to do that, then United laying the groundwork right now may make all the difference when he eventually decides to move.
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