Manchester United have watched plenty of young forwards over recent seasons, and Ricardo Mathias was briefly one of the names that caught their attention. Once discussed internally after live scouting sessions and linked with a huge release clause, the Brazilian striker is now heading in a very different direction. Instead of a move to Europe, Mathias is close to joining Al Ahli, bringing a quiet end to United’s interest.
For United, this is not a dramatic U-turn or a failed pursuit. It is simply one of many youth profiles that pass through the club’s scouting system without ever turning into a concrete move.
HOW THE HYPE BUILT AND QUICKLY COOLED
Not long ago, Mathias looked like one to watch. Internacional moved quickly to secure his future, renewing his contract and inserting a €65m release clause. That figure alone was enough to attract attention, even if few believed it would ever be triggered in full.
Interest from Europe helped inflate expectations around his next step. PSV were among the clubs linked, and his name began circulating more frequently in scouting reports. At that stage, the narrative was familiar. A young Brazilian forward, athletic and raw, with a big clause and plenty of upside.
That attention only grew after a strong spell of form in mid-2025. Goals arrived. Performances stood out. Scouts from Manchester United were among those watching him live, monitoring how he handled different game states and levels of pressure. It was the kind of profile United have tracked before. Young. Physically capable. Not fully formed, but intriguing.
Then the momentum slowed. Performances became uneven. Minutes were less consistent. By the end of the season, Mathias was no longer starting regularly. The excitement around his potential did not vanish, but it cooled enough to shift how clubs viewed the risk.
WHY UNITED DID NOT PUSH FURTHER
For United, this was always closer to monitoring than pursuing. They watched, assessed, and waited. There were no bids prepared and no urgency to move early. When consistency failed to arrive, interest faded in a natural way.
Mathias finished the campaign with 29 appearances and six goals across competitions. Those numbers are respectable for a teenager, but they were not enough to force a decision. United have seen similar profiles before, players who look close to a breakthrough without quite convincing.
The current recruitment approach leans toward clearer conviction. United are more cautious about escalating interest unless the trajectory feels obvious. Speculation has become less attractive than it once was. Walking away did not require a meeting or a rethink. It happened quietly.
SAUDI ARABIA OFFERS A DIFFERENT PATH
Al Ahli’s move changes the picture completely. A reported fee of around €9.25m represents a steep drop from earlier valuations, but it suits all parties involved.
Internacional move closer to their financial targets. Mathias secures a major uplift in wages and visibility. Al Ahli add a young forward with room to develop and potential resale value down the line.
For the player, it is a decisive choice. Rather than waiting for another European window that may or may not open, he takes a guaranteed move now. That route is becoming more common, especially for players caught between promise and proof.
WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT UNITED’S STRATEGY
United’s decision to step away is revealing in its own quiet way. It points toward patience and selectivity, even in youth recruitment. Scouting no longer guarantees action. Players must show sustained progress, not just flashes.
There is also a growing acceptance that not every monitored talent will fit the long-term plan. United have a long list of prospects they once tracked closely but never returned to. Mathias now joins that group.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This feels less like a missed opportunity and more like a sensible pause. Ricardo Mathias may still develop into a useful forward, but United were right to wait for clearer signs. Sometimes the smartest scouting decision is knowing when not to move.
As featured on ManUNews.com