Manchester United are quietly keeping their eyes on the future — and this time, the radar has locked onto Brazil.
Reports from Globo Esporte say the club sent scout Alexandre Torres to watch Internacional’s 19-year-old striker Ricardo Mathias during a Copa do Brasil clash against Fluminense at the Maracanã.
Mathias didn’t start the match but came off the bench, showing flashes of why United might be interested.
Despite Internacional exiting the tournament after a 1-1 draw, the teenager’s movement and presence reportedly caught Torres’ attention. Torres, son of Brazil legend Carlos Alberto, was on official club duty for this mission.
Standing at 6’3” (1.92m), Mathias brings a mix of power and pace that defenders hate.
He’s still raw but has the tools to grow — the type of striker United fans might file under “one for the future.”
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Other clubs in transfer race for Ricardo Mathias
United are not alone. PSV Eindhoven have apparently been tracking him, while an undisclosed Premier League side has already sent a letter of intent to Internacional.
Two Brazilian investment groups have also shown interest but failed to close a deal.
Since joining Internacional from Nova Iguacu in 2022, Mathias has made 17 senior appearances and scored three goals.
His value has shot up from €1m to €4m in just a year, and with a contract until 2028 plus a €65m release clause, any move will take serious cash.
For United, the timing is interesting. With Benjamin Sesko arriving, Marcus Rashford loaned out, Rasmus Hojlund possibly leaving, and Joshua Zirkzee on the radar, the striker department is getting a shake-up.
Mathias would almost certainly be a long-term project, maybe staying in Brazil for another season before making the leap to Europe.
One thing’s for sure — if United want to land him, they’ll need to move fast. In the football transfer game, it’s often like chasing a through ball… wait too long, and someone else taps it in.
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