Manchester United set to swoop for £25m Monaco right back Fabinho… but how much do you know about the young Brazilian?
* Manchester United are keeping tabs on Monaco's Brazil right back, Fabinho
* Boss Jose Mourinho is considering meeting Monaco's £25m asking price
* But who is he and what would he bring to United? Sportsmail reveals all...
Manchester United are keeping a close check on Monaco's Brazilian right back Fabinho as Jose Mourinho aims to add the finishing touches to what he hopes will be a title-winning squad.
The Old Trafford club are weighing up whether to meet Monaco's £25million asking price for the 22-year-old, who saw a £12m move to Italian side Napoli fall through earlier this month.
But who is Fabinho and what would he bring to United? Here's all you need to know.
What type of player would United get?
Fabinho offers attributes both defensively and in pushing forward on the right flank. He has also played in a defensive midfield station at times for Monaco, too.
He is tall for a wing back at 6ft 2in and with those long limbs has a powerful stride and plenty of natural acceleration, which is essential for his end-to-end role.
It goes without saying that his height is an asset at set-pieces.
Monaco had a very good defensive record with him in the team, particularly in 2014-2015 when they reached the last eight of the Champions League.
They conceded just 28 goals in the 49 matches he played in all competitions.
As well as possessing the speed and awareness to track back and tackle, the sight of Fabinho bombing forward to the byline before crossing has become a familiar one in Ligue 1.
His passing out from defence is also sound.
How would he fit into the United team?
If United were to spend £25m, it would be expected that Mourinho wants him as his first-choice right-back and that is bad news for Italian Matteo Darmian, who only joined last summer.
Likewise, Antonio Valencia, who had been shoe-horned into that position by Louis van Gaal. A United back line of Fabinho, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw wouldn't be too bad at all.
United's chances of acquiring him - and potentially below the asking price - are boosted by the fact he shares an agent with Mourinho in Jorge Mendes.
Quote:
FABINHO FACT FILE
Born: October 23, 1993 (Age: 22), Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 78kg
Youth career:
2006–2010 Paulinia
2010–2012 Fluminense
Senior career:
2012–2015 Rio Ave
2012–2013 → Real Madrid B
2013 → Real Madrid (loan)
2013–2015 → Monaco (loan)
2015– Monaco
|
Where does Fabinho come from?
Fabinho - full name Fabio Henrique Tavares - was born in October 1993 in the city of Campinas, which is located in Sao Paulo state in Brazil.
He underwent his football education at local club Paulinia and then from the age of 17, top-flight side Fluminense.
During his two years with the club, he was called into the first-team squad just once, for a league match with Corinthians in May 2012, but remained on the bench.
On to Madrid (via Portugal)
In the summer of 2012, the 18-year-old Fabinho was transferred to Portuguese side Rio Ave, signing a six-year contract.
But after just a few weeks, he was packed off on loan to Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team of the Bernabeu giants.
The defender was immediately drafted into the team and made 30 appearances that season in Spain's second division.
After impressing the club's coaches, he was rewarded with a first-team debut in a 6-2 win over Malaga at the tail-end of the season.
Code:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3697229/Manchester-United-set-swoop-25m-Monaco-right-Fabinho-know-young-Brazilian.html