manchesterworld.uk

'Great honour' - Manchester United flop makes emotional Carrington return after 20-year absence

Kleberson returned to Manchester United this weekplaceholder image

Kleberson returned to Manchester United this week | IG: @klebersonk15

Man Utd welcomed back a cult figure to their Carrington training base after almost two decades away.

Manchester United flop Kleberson made his return to Carrington this week over two decades since he last visited the club's famous training centre.

The 46-year-old became the club's first Brazilian player when he signed for £6 million in 2003, a year after he had shone for Brazil in their last World Cup triumph. Kleberson was famously paraded on the Old Trafford pitch alongside a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo and would soon be outshone by the youngster during a brief two-year spell in Manchester.

Kleberson only made 30 competitive appearances for the club before he left for Besiktas in 2005 and was a victim of the huge culture shock in England, as much as his struggles on the pitch. There was also huge pressure on his shoulders to help replace Juan Sebastian Veron, with Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba unable to live up to their respective potential.

Read More

Kleberson delighted to be back at Carrington

Manchester United fans might not have many happy memories of Kleberson but he still looks back fondly on his time at the club and the huge learning curve it gave him. He was welcomed back to Carrington by former teammate Quinton Fortune and took to social media to reflect on his time back around United.

“It was a great honour to return to Manchester United's Carrington training centre after 22 years,” Kleberson posted on Instagram. “I had the privilege of wearing this shirt and having unique experiences that shaped my career as a professional athlete.

“Today, being in this environment again, now with a more technical view, I was able to observe closely all the structural and technological evolution that the club has implemented, especially in the core categories. It's impressive to see the care Manchester United puts into complete athlete training, going beyond four lines to also invest in personal training and the holistic development of young talent.

“This mentality is what keeps the club as a global benchmark in football. We keep on learning, exchanging experiences. I thank my friend Quinton Fortune for receiving me, it's always gratifying to meet people who have been part of this trajectory and who continue to add.”

Continue Reading

Read full news in source page