Sao Paolo players were on the learning curve at Carrington this week, making good use of Manchester United´s training facilities.
The Brazilian team first arrived at the centre on Friday evening when they trained in the academy hall - much to the excitement of local junior side Sale United who shared the floor-space with them!
Sao Paolo returned to Carrington on Monday, following a busy weekend in which they beat Bolton 6-3 in a friendly at the Reebok Stadium. They also sampled the atmosphere of Old Trafford by watching England lose to Denmark.
Eduardo Morato, marketing manager for Sao Paolo, said: " We´ve been learning a lot from Manchester United, it´s a great club. It has been a great pleasure for us to share the facilities, our first team have enjoyed the experience."
Sao Paolo were preparing for the South American Cup semi-final and the last five games in the Brazilian Championship; consequently, United officials kept the visit as low-key as possible until Sao Paolo flew home.
Speculation in the UK press suggested the Reds would themselves benefit from the visit, with an opportunity to see Sao Paolo striker Luis Fabiano at close quarters. As it turned out, Fabiano did not come to Manchester - he was away on duty with the Brazilian national team.
" Luis is a very, very good striker," said Morato. " He´s forward-thinking, always thinking about goals. Sao Paolo discovered him in a very small city in Brazil in 1999. His development has since been very quick but very consistent.
" I think Luis Fabiano will shortly be one of the best strikers in the world."
United academy coach Brian McClair didn´t name any names but admitted the Reds now cast their net far and wide when looking for new players.
" We are a global club," said McClair. " We are looking at opportunities and players everywhere in the world where football is played. If we can get information about young players before these players become stars and cost a lot of money, we´ll be interested."
One name that might interest European clubs in the near future is Nery - he scored five goals in Sao Paolo´s 6-3 thrashing of Bolton at the Reebok, including four in an eight-minute spell. As ever, watch this space...
on y tient vraiment a ce joueur ! !!!!
5 buts contre bolton ! !!!!! il a depoté quand meme