The signing of Jose Kleberson in 2003 proves that you should never, ever sign someone based purely on their performances at a World Cup. A year prior, the midfielder had excelled for Brazil at the tournament in Japan and South Korea with manager Luis Felipe Scolari hailing him as the "driving force" of the side that won the competition in 2002. Unfortunately Kleberson could not emulate those heroics in England and by the time his United career was said and done in 2005, it was agreed upon by most pundits that he was one of the worst Manchester United signings of all time. The Brazilian only managed 20 appearances for the Red Devils and injured himself in the second game for his new club. He scored just twice for United, despite managing 12 at former side Atlético Paranaense, and was sold to Besiktas after just two seasons. Prior to his United move, Kleberson had his pick of suitors following his World Cup heroics. Barcelona, Newcastle United, Leeds United and Celtic all expressed an interest, and he must be wishing he had instead picked one of those. Perhaps things would have worked out a little differently.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
