Ruben Amorim has already made clear tactical tweaks at Manchester United, including his firm commitment to a back-three system that demands explosive, attack-minded wing-backs.
United’s move for Lecce’s Patrick Dorgu in January was a statement of intent, with the young Dane viewed as a long-term prospect down the left.
However, Dorgu is still raw, and with Luke Shaw increasingly seen as a centre-back option, the Red Devils are exploring further additions at wing-back.
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Benfica’s Alvaro Fernandez is Real Madrid-bound despite United holding a buy-back clause, while budget constraints mean a marquee signing is unlikely this summer.
One affordable name that emerged on United’s radar was Botafogo’s Cuiabano — but it appears they may be too late.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Nottingham Forest are now on the verge of sealing a deal for Cuiabano, along with his Botafogo teammates Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha.
This comes after reports suggested Manchester United had opened talks with Cuiabano’s representatives and held preliminary discussions with Botafogo regarding a summer move.
The 20-year-old Brazilian has impressed with six goals and five assists in 51 appearances, showing promise as a dynamic, overlapping threat — the sort of wing-back Amorim could mould to perfection.
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At a mooted price of just £6–7 million, Cuiabano would have offered the club a low-risk, high-upside option to challenge Dorgu without requiring a significant outlay.
Forest’s growing relationship with the Brazilian market seems to have helped accelerate the deal, with a medical now reported to be close.
For United, unless a dramatic late hijack occurs, this marks another missed opportunity in a crucial area of Amorim’s evolving setup.
With the market for quality, cost-effective wing-backs extremely limited, United may be forced to cast their net wider or trust in their existing youth setup.
That could open the door for teenage talent Harry Amass to head out on loan, gaining vital first-team minutes while the senior squad takes shape.
For now, though, it’s Nottingham Forest who look set to benefit from Cuiabano’s attacking flair — and United will need to reset their sights.
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