Kleberson set to complete United move

KLEBERSON should become the first Brazilian to play for Manchester United during the next 24 hours after his work permit application was given the green light last night.

Only the loose ends meet completion on the £6m deal taking the World Cup winner from Sao Paulo outfit Atletico Paranaense, and there is an outside chance he could be involved in the last pre-season friendly at Stoke on Wednesday.

Old Trafford chief Alex Ferguson attended yesterday’s hearing in an effort to add weight to the application, which did not meet strict government criteria because Kleberson has not played in 75% of his country’s internationals over the past two years.

However, he has been earmarked as the latest Brazilian superstar in the making, and Ferguson was always confident the permit would be granted.

United first moved for Kleberson when Chelsea initiated their interest in Juan Sebastian Veron, who eventually completed his £15m move to Stamford Bridge last week.

The Red Devils’ interest was enough to snuff out Leeds’ chances of signing the player, even though Peter Reid had earmarked the 24-year-old as his main summer target.

Meanwhile Ryan Giggs believes Juan Sebastian Veron could prove to be Chelsea’s trump card in the title race, although he insists Manchester United and Arsenal still have the edge because of their experience.

Veron failed to make the same impact at Old Trafford as he managed in Serie A with Lazio, admitting himself he had lacked consistency with United.

However, Giggs believes that his team-mate Veron will still prove himself at Stamford Bridge.

“Seba is a fantastic player and he’s got amazing ability. I’m sure he will do well at Chelsea,” he revealed.

Not that Giggs was bringing Sir Alex Ferguson’s judgement into question, of course, given that the Welsh international still rates his own side as title favourites along with Arsenal.

“I think there are four or five teams in it. Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have all got good players and, if they get on a roll, they’ll be very difficult to stop,” he declared.

“Chelsea were already a good side. You don’t know what the starting XI will be, but they had the basis of a very good side so that will help them.

“Then again, I think ourselves and Arsenal are obviously still favourites.

Meanwhile reports yesterday suggested that United may be about to spring a surprise in the transfer market by moving rapidly for Sporting Lisbon wunderkind Ronaldo.

Fans at the Carrington complex training ground reported seeing the young star entering the compound where insiders later suggested he was being examined by united’s medical team.