10 World-Class Players You Didn’t Know Man Utd Nearly Signed
4. Celio Silva
More often than not, when looking at players your club missed out on, you end up shaking your head ruefully and are left idly wondering what might have been. In the case of Celio Silva, Manchester United could thank the Home Office for them dodging a bullet. Silva was a Brazilian international centre back who came to prominence in 1997 when playing for the seleção in Le Tournoi in 1997, a precursor to the World Cup in France the following year. A burly defender with a fearsome right footed shot, Silva caught Alex Fergusons eye and a bid was accepted by his club, Corinthians. Silva was denied a work permit by the Home Office and the move fell through. United ended up signing Blackburns Henning Berg, while Silva ended up at Goias and, ultimately, obscurity.
