Manchester United did consider signing Willian on a free transfer this summer, according to ESPN Brasil reporter Joao Castelo-Branco.

The 34-year-old left Fulham after his contract expired at the end of last month. He has subsequently rejoined the Cottagers, but not before United and his former team Chelsea made enquiries about recruiting him on a short-term basis:

Fulham conseguiu chegar a um acordo a pedido do técnico Marco Silva.
Willian tinha oferta do Forrest e fui informado que teve sondagem do Chelsea e Manchester United. Aparentemente estavam monitorando mas Willian era o plano B então não chegaram a fazer oferta. https://t.co/Lvs6nhIlHq

— Joao Castelo-Branco (@j_castelobranco) July 17, 2023

Castelo-Branco claims that Willian only ended up receiving two offers from Premier League teams (Fulham and Nottingham Forest), as United deemed the player as a backup option rather than as a priority target.

However, it is quite surprising to hear that a move for the Brazilian was even considered, when you factor in his age and the position he plays.

United are not exactly short of wingers

In addition to the likes of Antony and Marcus Rashford, who would be manager Erik ten Hag’s first-choice options on both wings, the Red Devils also have the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Facundo Pellestri and Amad Diallo in the squad.

While at least one winger, Anthony Elanga, is expected to leave Old Trafford in the near future, you can’t really see why United would even contemplate recruiting Willian.

Questions remain about Sancho

The Willian claims do, however, once again, raise more doubts about Jadon Sancho’s future. There have been a number of reports in recent weeks suggesting that the England international could be let go if the club receive the right offer.

For the time being, though, the 23-year-old is expected to stay in Manchester, although it remains to be seen how much game time he will get next season.