Kleberson Mystery?

[Sofabloke]

I get the feeling there must be a story here we are not being told. Why was he not even on the bench against Citeh? I have scoured all news sources and can find no mention, looks like Brazil were not playing either.

He is definitely out of favour for some reason. Has been on the bench the last couple of months whilst others have underperformed, which is odd for a 6 million summer buy of a regular international and world-cup winner. Especially when along with Scholes he is all we have from a creative angle in the middle.

Something not right here ...

[bigtoga]

I agree - even the Brazilian coach chimed in a few months back saying that if Kleb wasn't in the first team, he wasn't going to play for Brazil. Maybe he's homesick, injury-prone, a whiner - who knows...

[Potomac Red Devil]

I'm glad someone started this thread...his absence is a real mystery to me.

In America, a reporter would have asked SAF about this a long time ago.

When Klebs was playing CM, AMC early in the year, he was good if not brilliant. He brought a flair to our play that we had been sorely lacking, and brought the creativity that D^2, Butt and Keane could not provide.

It seems SAF doesn't want to play him anywhere other than AMC, so Klebs cannot play ahead of Scholes.

But then SAF plays Scholes at DM from time to time...a spot where Kleberson would play much better...so it just boggles my mind what is going on here.

[Potomac Red Devil]

Here are some interesting statistics comparing Kleberson, Butt, Fletcher and P. Neville. I don't know how up to date they are.

Two most interesting things:

1) Look at the minutes Fletcher has played compared to Butt and Kleberson.

2) Kleberson has scored more goals (2) than the other three combined.

Kleberson

http://www.footballanorak.com/Kleberson-pid-759.html

Fletcher

http://www.footballanorak.com/Darren-Fletcher-pid-86.html

Butt

http://www.footballanorak.com/Nicky-Butt-pid-78.html

P Neville

http://www.footballanorak.com/Phillip-Neville-pid-66.html

[Potomac Red Devil]

Some quotes from SAF after Kleberson's signing:

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was "delighted" to have secured the Brazilian's signature.

"He is a young, athletic midfield player who can play in a number of positions.

"One of the reasons we sold Seba Veron was because we knew we were getting Kleberson - that shows how highly we regard his talent."

[prk166]

What the heck did he do? Make a pass at one of SAF's daughter-in-laws? ;)

Seriously, I would like to see Kleb getting the same kind of playing time that Fletcher's been getting.

[Stogey23]

I always thought he was injured.

On a side note, I see Fletcher as almost American. He is solid fundamentally, but doesn't seem like a difference maker.

[Achtung]

I think that either his shoulder injury from early this season is acting up, or he is not adjusting so well to England. Maybe its the weather, or maybe its that he is having trouble learning English. Still, you'd think he could at least communicate with Ronaldo, and learn some English that way.

Other than that, I really can't say. I still see him as the future attacking mid, but not if he never gets the chance to play.

[Motterman]

In other news, Kleberson has been called up into the Brazil squad for their World Cup Qualifier against Paraguay.

[Achtung]

*picks up injury theory, walks over to window, throws theory out*

[Motterman]

Originally posted by Achtung
*picks up injury theory, walks over to window, throws theory out*

Forgot to say that the game is on March 31, and even if it was in the next few days or so, he could have been held out by Parreira's request....

you never know

[musicl]

He's Mr.Flu

[Alex_1]

Originally posted by prk166
What the heck did he do? Make a pass at one of SAF's daughter-in-laws? ;)

If you followed his signing you will know that Kleberson seems to like them young...

Seriously, a reason why his move to Europe in general was delayed was because of his girlfriend. :rolleyes: Kleberson, IMO, has always been somewhat of an immature personality... not a bad person, just immature. Maybe some of this rubbed Sir Alex Ferguson the wrong way.

Originally posted by prk166

Seriously, I would like to see Kleb getting the same kind of playing time that Fletcher's been getting.

Personally, I don't really like his move to Manchester United. It didn't seem to really fit into his style of play or theirs and his injury + Uniteds bad luck with injury/suspension hurt him and that team. It is nothing against United but it seems like Kleberson was Plan D of "Can we get Ronaldinho?" if not, "Will Rivaldo be worth it?" followed up with: "Shall we take a chance with Veron again?"

In otherwords, the only loss was Ronaldinho as Veron's been in maybe 12 matches this year and Rivaldo's head exploded.

[Achtung]

Originally posted by Alex_1
In otherwords, the only loss was Ronaldinho as Veron's been in maybe 12 matches this year and Rivaldo's head exploded.

Can't wait for the "Rivaldo to MLS" threads.

[Alex_1]

Originally posted by Achtung
Can't wait for the "Rivaldo to MLS" threads.

That did come up. ;)

Believe it or not, his last rumored destination is Argentine club River Plate. But Kleberson's call up somewhat surprises me...

[prk166]

I always thought he was injured.

On a side note, I see Fletcher as almost American. He is solid fundamentally, but doesn't seem like a difference maker.

America = not a difference maker? Was Michael Jordan Canadian? ;)

[johno]

=Alex_1]If you followed his signing you will know that Kleberson seems to like them young...

Personally, I don't really like his move to Manchester United. It didn't seem to really fit into his style of play or theirs and his injury + Uniteds bad luck with injury/suspension hurt him and that team. It is nothing against United but it seems like Kleberson was Plan D of "Can we get Ronaldinho?" if not, "Will Rivaldo be worth it?" followed up with: "Shall we take a chance with Veron again?"



If you followed his move you would know that we intended to sign both Kleberson and Ronnie, he was not a consolation prize.. the move for him was lined up long before Barca snatched him up...

[haven]

Personally, I think SAF can't understand the point of a holding midfielder who doesn't put in hard challenges.

I like Kleberson, personally. Great in possession, great at holding the ball (love the way he dances away from challenges), great at bursting forward. Clevers kill.

He doesn't tackle all that well... but I still think SAF should play him above Butt and P Neville in the midfield. He does so much more.

Obviously, he can't play AMC above Scholes. Scholes is our best player... that would be silly.

[Motterman]

I posted this in the News Thread, but I guess it should go here as well:

Klebs is out of the Brazil squad for their game against Paraguay with a knee injury.

[Sofabloke]

You must have some good news sources Motter, hadn't seen that one!

There is definitely something wrong here. He has been out too long with unspecified injuries and a wall of silence from official Man U sources. There is a story here waiting to be told.

Didn't know about his 15 year old girlfriend (now 16 year old wife). Explains why it took him a while to move after the world cup.