Former scout reveals Manchester United rejected chance to sign current Real Madrid superstar in 2018

Former Manchester United scout Sandro Orlandelli has revealed that the Red Devils passed up on the chance to sign Eder Militao a few years back.

Orlandelli said, via Premier League Brasil (h/t Manchester Evening News):

"(Eder) Militao was a wonderful opportunity (for Manchester United). He was finalising his contract with Sao Paulo. Then people realise. Because I remember that he was very undervalued by Porto, with his contract coming to an end."

Militao left his childhood club Sao Paulo in 2018 to join Portuguese giants Porto for €7 million. The fee proved to be a bargain for the then-20-year-old defender, who went on to register five goals and four assists in 47 appearances in his debut season in Europe.

The Brazilian showcased his versatility by playing as a centre-back and right-back for the Portuguese side. Real Madrid came knocking in 2019 and paid €50 million for his services.

The Red Devils, meanwhile, did not sign any centre-backs in the summer of 2018 but splashed €87 million to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City 12 months later. The Englishman is now Erik ten Hag's fourth-choice and has been stripped of the club captaincy.

Militao, meanwhile, is a regular under Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti. He has made 143 appearances across competitions in four years at Real Madrid but is currently sidelined with a long-term ACL injury.

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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag happy to have competition for Casemiro

Manchester United signed Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina on deadline day this summer for a loan fee of €10 million with an option to make it permanent for €25 million.

According to Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, the 27-year-old Morocco international has been brought in to compete with Casemiro for the No. 6 role. About the increased competition for the former Real Madrid superstar, the Dutchman said (via Mirror(:

"It was already, from the start of the season, one of my wishes to get another six, a holding midfielder, in the squad because through the season you need that depth there.

"In that position, we only had Casemiro who can play really well there. With others we have to make compromises but, with Sofryan Amrabat, we have another one."

Casemiro, 31, is widely thought of as one of the best defensive midfielders in the modern game. However, he hasn't been flawless this season, so Ten Hag could use a backup in Amrabat. The Dutchman could also play them together in a double pivot in midfield.