Kleberson on Man Utd regrets, Cristiano Ronaldo and ‘big signing’ Matheus Cunha

EXCLUSIVE: Former Manchester United and Brazil star Kleberson talks to Mirror Football about his time at Old Trafford, meeting Cristiano Ronaldo and the Red Devils’ signing of Matheus Cunha

Kleberson had the world at his feet back in 2003. Fresh from winning the World Cup just 12 months before, he became the first-ever Brazilian to sign for Manchester United.

Supporters were understandably excited after a fresh-faced Kleberson was pictured alongside a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo on the Old Trafford touchline after putting pen to paper with the Red Devils. But the former midfielder struggled to hit the heights expected of him in the Premier League having made just 30 appearances for the club over two seasons before being allowed to join Turkish giants Besiktas.

Kleberson, though, has no regrets from his time with United. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football , he said: “Everything goes fast in that time. I signed a professional contract in 1999, I win the league in Brazil in 2001 and then in 2002, I was in the World Cup winning squad with Brazil. And then 2003, I signed for the biggest club in the world in Manchester United.

“It all happened so fast. It’s so fast. Unfortunately, I got a lot of injuries that push me back. I only say that because when I got an injury, I got back 100% to play, I need to compete against Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo who started to fly.

“It’s not easy. I know I won the World Cup at the time and at a big name Manchester United but it took time to get to a better level. But injuries didn’t help me at that time.

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“But I was the first Brazilian in the Reds jersey, the first to score in Old Trafford and my sons are born there. I have great memories, I really enjoyed that time.”

While Kleberson’s injuries limited his contributions for United, the man who he was unveiled alongside – Cristiano Ronaldo – enjoyed plenty of success. The five-time Ballon d’Or scored 118 goals across his first spell before his record move to Real Madrid.

Kleberson knew he was destined for stardom after meeting him for the first time. He said: “It’s so funny because when I get into Old Trafford to sign my contract, I remember I was on a table with a lot of agents. And then a young guy was there. I asked ‘who’s that kid?’ And it was Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I was told he played in a friendly game for Sporting vs United and he destroyed the game. Before Cristiano, they tried to bring Ronaldinho and I think ‘wow, that kid is probably special’.

“As soon as I saw that kid on the field, his dribbling, his technical quality, it’s amazing. But one thing is was how focused he was. He was really focused on the things he wanted to see, concentrated.

“He wants to get better quickly. He had a special mentor in Sir Alex Ferguson and he put him in the right direction. Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Gary Neville helped him to improve. But the strong mind he had at that time really impressed me. To see him score goals in a final for Portugal, that kid never stops.”

With it now being over two decades since Kleberson became the first Brazilian to sign for the club, United have once again turned to a Selecao star in the transfer market. Ruben Amorim’s side quickly paid Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m release clause to sign him from Wolves.

Kleberson believes he could be just the answer the club are looking for to solve their goalscoring woes. He added: “It’s a big signing for Man United. I really enjoy watching Cunha play.

“He starts to play in my town in Coritiba. I really enjoyed watching his game against Paraguay. It was the first time I watched him this close.

“He does a little bit more close movement, a lot of runs without the ball, diagonal moves. It’s a big signing. I think United are going to be scoring well with him.”

Another Premier League player who has been on the move this summer has been Jorginho. The Arsenal midfielder was allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium to sign for Brazilian side Flamengo ahead of the Club World Cup.

And Kleberson believes that the Italian could have a big impact for his former side in the USA this summer. He said: “I think that’s a big signing for Flamengo because of the experience he brings for the club, it’s amazing.

“He’s a leader. He wants to come to Brazil, wants to play in the Maracana and now he can help the club a lot. But for this tournament, it’s a great signing and he’s going to be helping Flamengo a lot in some of the games.”

Kleberson was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.

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