Manchester United have brought some great talent from South America throughout the Premier League, so here are my starting 11 of the best United players from South American countries.
Goalkeeper- Sergio Romero
Now he might have been the only South American goalkeeper on the list that has played for United, however, he deserves his place in the team.
He played and won the Europa League in 2017 with the Red Devils and Jose Mourinho, in what was United’s first-ever Europa League. He was a vital part of that run to the final in Stockholm, making 12 appearances.
Right Back- Rafael
This was a tough call between Valencia and Rafael but I have gone with Rafael due to how well he fitted into that United team and the bond he had with the fans, his time at United felt very South American.
Being with the club through thick and thin, grateful to Sir Alex for what he had done for him and his brother and being a three-time Premier League winner and World champion it was such a great journey to see for the young boy from Petrópolis.
Centre Backs- Gabriel Heinze and Lisandro Martinez
Heinze always was passionate and for the United faithful that was great to see even if he was only at the club for 3 years, he always has a nasty streak in him which would sometimes be good in order for the team to realise they have a leader at the back.
Martinez being picked might look controversial but it was between him and Marcos Rojo who did not have the best spell at United being inconsistent with injuries and was clumsy and would make some rash decisions that would sometimes cost United in games.
Martinez has a connection with the fans, which is very special and being named one of the league’s best centre-backs at the moment is my reasoning for putting him on the team.
Left Back- Fabio
Fabio was very much in his brother’s shadow but the bond between him and Rafael was clear to see playing at the best club in the world winning trophies it was great to see.
The Brazilian flair that he exuberated onto the pitch of never giving up and being creative in his six seasons at the club where he gave his all.
Midfield three- Anderson, Veron, Casemiro
Anderson who has won more Premier Leagues than Steven Gerrard has to be on the list, a great box-to-box midfielder with loads of talent, labelled to be the next big thing he did not reach those heights but gave 100% in a red shirt.
Veron was a controversial and different decision by Alex Ferguson with him trying to fit him into the midfield of the masters that were Keane and Scholes, all three had to play in a 4-3-3 with Veron being the most attacking out of the three but it never seemed to click.
A fantastic footballer with so much ability but did not quite make it at United.
Casemiro is very much like Martinez being new to the club but his hard-working demeanour and what he has done in his past career being a five-time Champions League winner is the reason he goes into the team.
Front three- Diego Forlan, Di Maria, Tevez
Joining in 2001 Forlan made the big move to the red side of Manchester for £6.9 million, appearing 98 times but only scoring 17 goals was not what Ferguson would have expected from the Uruguay international but one thing for sure is he bled red and scored a vital goal against Liverpool.
Di Maria’s time at United was not the best either but he put on some magical displays for United in that first season.
Lastly, Carlos Tevez, even though he was a traitor when he was in that frontline with Ronaldo and Rooney they were an unstoppable force which led United to the Champions League in 2008.