Sporting Lisbon defender Mauricio dos Santos Nascimento has revealed that he had the opportunity to join Manchester United in the summer.
The Red Devils lured Marcos Rojo from Estadio Jose Alvalade, but they apparently tried to sign his teammate as well.
Mauricio reveals the Premier League side contacted his manager, but the deal eventually failed to materialise.
“They (Manchester United) sought my manager, Carlos Goncalves,” Mauricio told UOL Esporte.
“But I am a centred, focused and very calm person. It was not a certain thing. Here at Sporting people like me very much and I am very happy.”
Having represented numerous sides in his native Brazil, Mauricio made a switch to Europe last summer as he joined Sporting Lisbon in a low-profile move from Sport Recife.
The 26-year-old, nonetheless, enjoyed a bright start to his career at Estadio Jose Alvalade, nailing down a regular starting berth and making a total of 34 league appearances.
He has since become regarded as one of league’s top centre-backs and the reported interest from Manchester United is enough to suggest he could soon join a top European club and continue his impressive rise.
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