Who Is Reported Manchester United Transfer Target Fabinho?

Manchester United are reportedly interested in taking Monaco full-back Fabinho to Old Trafford.

According to reports in the British press, Jose Mourinho has set his sights on a move for the 22-year-old and could bid £22m for his services.

But who is the Brazilian defender potentially set for a switch to the Premier League? Here, we profile Fabinho and look at what he could bring to United...

Factfile

Age: 22

Position: Right-back

Club: Monaco

Nationality: Brazilian

International caps: 4

Background

Born in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Fabinho came through the youth ranks at Paulinia before moving to Brasileiro Serie A side Fluminense as a 17-year-old.

He spent two years at the top-flight club, but was called into the first-team squad just once for a league match at Corinthians and was an unused substitute in his side's 1-0 win.

Fabinho left Fluminense without making a first-team appearance, joining Portuguese club Rio Ave on a six-year deal in the summer of 2012.

But after just one month at the Estadio dos Arcos, he was sent on a season-long loan to Real Madrid Castilla.

Mourinho's Madrid

Fabinho made his professional debut on August 17, 2012 in Real Madrid Castilla's 2-1 defeat at Villarreal.

He went on to make 30 appearances in Spain's second division and impressed enough to receive a call-up to Real's first-team under Mourinho.

The United boss handed Fabinho his first and only Real appearance in 2013 with the Brazilian replacing Fabio Coentrao and setting up Angel Di Maria for Real's sixth in a 6-2 win over Malaga.

Move to Monaco

Fabinho was once again on the move in the summer of 2013, joining Claudio Ranieri's Monaco on a season-long loan deal.

The Brazilian went on to become one of the mainstays of Ranieri's team and he was rewarded with an extension to his loan deal at the Stade Louis II for the 2015/15 season.

After another impressive season, he joined the Ligue 1 club permanently on a four- year deal.

International duty

Fabinho was called into the Brazil squad by Dunga for the 2015 Copa America. He made his debut in a warm-up match before the tournament, replacing the injured Danilo at half-time in a 2-0 win against Mexico.

As understudy to Dani Alves, he did not make an appearance at the competition but has gone on to pick up three more caps for his country.

The 22-year-old made Brazil's squad for the Copa America Centenario this summer but again did not appear in any of the three matches at the tournament.

What's his style?

At 6ft 2in, Fabinho is tall for a full-back but he has absolutely no problem getting up and down the right flank.

He's a powerful runner and in true Brazilian style he loves to get forward, creating 25 chances in Ligue 1 last season - the most of any Monaco defender.

He also scored six goals last season, including winning and converting the penalty which helped Monaco inflict Paris Saint-Germain's first home defeat in just under two years.

Fabinho's attacking prowess is not at the expense of his defensive duties. Monaco have an excellent record in defence with Fabinho at full-back, particularly during the 2014/15 season when they conceded 28 goals in his 49 matches.

He's very comfortable on the ball and with a pass accuracy of 81 per cent from last season, he was very capable of helping Monaco build from the back.

He has even played in central midfield for Monaco, most notably against Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 first leg in 2015 when the French side claimed a comprehensive 3-1 win at the Emirates on their way to the quarter-finals.

How will he fit in at Old Trafford?

Mourinho wasted no time in strengthening the centre of his defence with the acquisition of Eric Bailly from Villarreal.

And with Matteo Darmian as the only specialist senior right-back in his squad, it is no surprise to see the Portuguese manager reportedly looking to strengthen in that position.

Antonio Valencia filled in under Louis van Gaal, but Fabinho's potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him in direct competition with Darmian to become first choice.

The Brazilian's attributes in both attack and defence would give Mourinho plenty of options on the right flank as he searches for the winning formula at Old Trafford.

Did you know?

Fabinho shares the same agent as Mourinho in Jorge Mendes, possibly helping pave the way for the Brazilian full-back's move to Manchester United.

Credit: Skysports.com