There will be limited interest among Manchester United fans at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
If any Manchester United fans are tempted to tune in to watch the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, there may be some familiar faces.
There is a heavy former United contingent at Boca Juniors, who most recently added Ander Herrera to their squad. Alex Telles will be in action too for Botafogo, and there are a handful of other ex-Red Devils scattered around too.
But if you want a really deep cut, a vaguely familiar name might be seen in action for Palmeiras – Lucas Evangelista.
Lucas Evangelista playing for Palmeiras vs Flamengo
Photo by Riquelve Nata/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
Lucas Evangelista had Manchester United trial
Back in 2008, Manchester United struck a partnership with Brazilian club Desportivo Brasil, a third tier side. Among the benefits to the David Gill-backed link up was creating a potential pathway for young players to move to the Red Devils.
The partnership failed to result in a single player making the move on a permanent basis, but a few players came close.
During the link-up a handful of players came over for trials, one of whom was midfield prospect Lucas Evangelista. Reports at the time claimed he was earmarked for a future transfer, although this failed to materialise.
Evangelista visited Old Trafford and trained with a young Paul Pogba, along with compatriot, highly rated young striker Bruno Gomes. And this experience really stood out.
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Speaking to Brazilian outlet Globo in 2023, he recalled: “It was a very important period in my life. I was still at Desportivo Brasil. I was undecided whether I would return to São Paulo or stay at Desportivo, because I was 15 or 16 years old.
“I was going to sign my first professional contract. Desportivo had made this partnership with Manchester. That weighed heavily at the time and I ended up going back there.
“Twice a year, we would go to England, spend some time in Manchester, train with the professionals a few times. Then, we would go to Twente, in the Netherlands. We would spend 15 days in the Netherlands and 15 days in England. That was a very important moment.
“I trained with Pogba, with Andreas (Pereira), who was at Flamengo. It was something that left a lasting impression. Since he was very young, Pogba was a guy who was completely out of the ordinary, above average. I saw that from a young age. After he stood out as a professional, it was nothing new for me because of what he always did.”
Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill leaving the club in 2013 was a time of seminal change for United that the Red Devils have never really recovered from. And it may have been connected to the interest in the Brazilian youngsters failing to extend beyond initial interest.
Evangelista praised the Da Silva twins for helping them feel at home, and he later played alongside Fabio da Silva in France.
“We had some contact [with Ferguson]. Nani gave us great support, as did Fabio and Rafa, who were there. I ended up meeting them there. Later, I became a professional and played with Fabio at Nantes.”
Lucas Evangelista’s career path
Lucas Evangelista is now playing for Brazilian club Palmeiras after signing for the team in March, leaving Red Bull Bragantino, another top flight side.
Now set to play a role at the FIFA Club World Cup, the 30-year-old is set for the biggest opportunity of his career, which has seen him play across Europe.
Evangelista has played in Italy, France, Greece and Portugal, before returning to Brazil. His full club history can be viewed below.
Desportivo Brasil
Sao Paulo (loan)
Udinese
Panathinaikos (loan)
Estoril (loan)
Nantes
Vitoria Guimaraes (loan)
Red Bull Bragantino
Palmeiras
Insight from Brazil on Lucas Evangelista
Brazilian football writer Henrique Toth, from Vamo Futebol, tells United In Focus that Lucas Evangelista is at the peak of his career.
“Lucas started playing football as a defender, but he gradually moved to midfield. He is a modern midfielder, with good defensive and offensive skills.
“He is not an absolute starter at Palmeiras, but in Brazilian football, the concept of a starter is complicated, since we have so many games per year. In the end, everyone ends up playing a lot. So far, he has played 14 games and provided three assists.
“In addition to his quality in passing, ball control and even finishing, I am impressed by his human side. He already holds a leadership position within the Palmeiras squad, even though he arrived this year.
“I believe he is living the peak of his career: 30 years old, experienced, physically fit and playing in a team that has been very successful in recent years. Why didn’t he do well in Europe? Too many team changes, not enough games and, of course, the language issue.”
Now heading to the USA for the Club World Cup, Palmeiras take on Porto, Al-Ahly, and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. This great stage is what Evangelista has been working towards his whole career, even when he was at Carrington dreaming of turning pro.