World Cup winner Kleberson has revealed that he once wanted to hit Roy Keane with a savage putdown during a fiery dressing room encounter - but his English wasn’t up to scratch.
The 2002 winner was on the wrong end of a Keane blast early in his Old Trafford career.
He arrived in Manchester a year after Brazil’s triumph, but managed only 20 appearances in two seasons at the club before joining Besiktas.
Kleberson, now assistant manager at New York City FC, opened up about his run-in with Keane.
“It’s true Roy Keane called me out in the dressing room in one of my first games,” he told OLBG.
“I saw the interview with Eric Djemba-Djemba, where he says Keane called me out.
“But my English at that time was horrible, I couldn't understand anything.
“I tried to understand what Keane said, and I didn't have anything to protect myself and say something. I was thinking, ‘go win a World Cup before talking to me’.
“But I didn't have any English to argue back.”
Of course, Kleberson’s World Cup win came in the same tournament that would have featured Keane, but for his infamous Saipan walkout.
Kleberson added: “It's kind of funny now because I understand what Roy Keane did at the club, the passion he has, the winning player inside him.
“He’ll push you and you need players like that.
“United had some big players like Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at that point too, they were really leading the team.
“Keane on the field was really good but those two on the field also acted like captains, and were a big part of the club.”
Kleberson, meanwhile, believes United are on track for more glory after their Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United.
And he reckons a first league success since the departure of Alex Ferguson in 2013 could be on the cards sooner rather than later.
“There's a chance Man Utd could win the league within a season or two, especially if they keep their consistency,” he said.
The signing of fellow Brazilian Casemiro has been key to United’s resurgence this season under new boss Erik Ten Hag, according to Kleberson.
Antony and Fred are two more Samba stars at Old Trafford.
But if there was one more Brazilian that Kleberson would like to see at Old Trafford, it would be Tottenham flop Richarlison.
“I'd really like to see Richarlison play for Man Utd,” he said. “He's the kind of striker that could help United a lot.
“Especially with teams pressing, he can do a low block, he can put pressure on the centre-back and he can get inside the box.
“He's played in the Premier League for many years, he understands the rules and he's a really hard-working player.
“As Man Utd get more structure and consistency, winning more games, I think Richarlison is a player who could do a lot for the club.”
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