Palmeiras ace Gabriel Menino is now facing months out with a broken ankle after missing out on a summer move to Premier League giants Manchester United.
The injury curse which has threatened to derail Manchester United’s season, it seems, is not merely limited to those currently at Old Trafford. A late-summer dalliance with the Red Devils came just two months before Gabriel Menino collapsed onto the pitch during Palmeiras’ 2-0 defeat to Athletico Paranaense, stretchered off in agony and now facing an extended – if as-yet unconfirmed – spell on the sidelines.
According to Globo Esporte, Menino has suffered a fractured ankle. A potential return date has not been provided by Palmeiras, though it appears the midfielder has made his final appearance of the current Brazilian league season.
Palmeiras’ campaign is due to come to an end away to Cruzeiro on December 3rd.
Manchester United nearly signed Gabriel Menino
And Menino will be missed, certainly, by a Palmeiras side hoping to secure a top-three finish. The 23-year-old has made nearly 60 appearances during a gruelling campaign after all, scoring eight times and setting up four more in all competitions.
This was form which, per Premier League Brasil, saw him come within touching distance of a shock move to Manchester United.
The report claims that United saw an £8 million bid accepted by Palmeiras in August. Negotiations collapsed despite Erik ten Hag’s admiration for the player, however, with Sofyan Amrabat eventually arriving on loan from Fiorentina instead on deadline day.
Amrabat lasted just 45 minutes during Man United’s nervy 1-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but has made a positive contribution with his work rate, versatility and poise since arriving at Old Trafford.
Sofyan Amrabat playing for permanent move
“They’ve been chasing him throughout the whole of the transfer window,” United legend Gary Neville tells Sky Sports of the Morocco international. “And I’ve always felt that he’s not a holding midfield player but he’s played in that position alongside Casemiro where he’ll get on the ball and play. And that’s what Erik ten Hag wants.
“I don’t think Amrabat is a panic (signing). I think they’ve wanted him from day one. (Ten Hag has) wanted that ball-playing midfield player going back 12 months to Frenkie de Jong.
“He presses, he links well, he runs forward.”
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