Brazil international Raphael Veiga has selected Manchester United among Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, saying that he would like to test himself in Europe.

With his 29th birthday just a few months away, Raphael Veiga seems like a man who understands that time is not on his side.

The seasoned playmaker has spent every year of his professional career in Brazil, and despite how important he has been to Palmeiras’ recent success, there is a sense that the ship has gone in terms of a move to one of Europe’s top teams.

That hasn’t stopped Veiga from dreaming, with Manchester United among a number of cross-continental powerhouses the playmaker would like to represent.

Manchester United’s move appeals to talented Brazilian

“I have the desire to play in Europe,” Veiga tells AS. “But I’m also very excited to play for Palmeiras.”

“I believe that any player aspires to play in the Old Continent (Europe), to compete with the finest players in the world, and to play in the major leagues.

“If that happens one day, it will be very satisfying.”

Veiga, a late bloomer who has earned all six of his Brazil caps in the last year, has won ten trophies since 2020, with Palmeiras the incumbent South American champions.

Veiga scored 18 goals and assisted 16 others in a record-breaking season last year. Numbers that make even Bruno Fernandes blush.

Last season, they had 18 goals and 16 assists

“I like a lot of teams in Europe,” he said. “Barcelona, Madrid, City, Arsenal, and other clubs, such as Manchester United. It’s difficult to choose just one.

“They all have something special and interesting.”

Manchester United already have two Brazilians on their roster, Casemiro and Antony. Both players have questionable futures at Old Trafford, but Antony’s representative tells UnitedinFocus in an exclusive interview that the winger is willing to battle for his Red Devils career.