Luis Fabiano: is he worth a punt?

The Seville and Brazil striker has come a long way since his days as a football bad boy for Sao Paulo. Gabriele Marcotti profiled a player with a supreme goal-scoring tally but a prolifically poor disciplinary record.

Therapy sessions and a move to Spain have worked wonders for Fabiano and he is now a target for Manchester United. But is he the man Sir Alex Ferguson should be looking for to strengthen his attacking options?

Fabiano still has the occasional lapse:

But he knows where the net is:

What do you think? Is he the right choice for the Premier League champions? Leave your comments below.

Comments

[John A]

United need some Defenders, not any more goal scorers. We need a Left back who can defend not just attack and is caught out of position All the time.
Most All of the goals and attempts on goal come via the left full back position and centered in. Evra is good going forward and supporting the forwards, but often is in the way, and cant shoot straight.
And a Center Half that doesnt Ball Watch and blame everyone else when a goal goes in. Any time a high ball is sent into the box the attackers get to it and put an attempt on the goal, just watch if any team can string together some attacking play they will score. The Only saving grace for My team United is the opposition is too busy defending to have time to attack.
We have alaways had attacking fullbacks, Dunne and Brennan, Neville and many more would overlap and support the forwards, but they also had the ability to not neglect their defensive duties. Ferdinand, Vidic, and the half backs are always being drawn over to cover the left back position.
So Please no more money on goal scorers, some solid Defenders.

[DM]

Hi Martin, in all the post-season buzz it seems like everyone has forgotten about Man Utd's Angolan signing, Manucho. (He looked the part during the Nations Cup). I know this thread is to discuss the merits of Fabiano, but what say the experts on the chances of the Angolan filling a pair of 30 goals-a-season boots?

[James, Sydney]

Ha ha ha - worst fight ever!!

[Joseph Sexton]

I dunno, in terms of Brazilian strikers, I simply can't look past Amauri- even if Dunga apparently can.

Brilliant in the air, strong, quick, great technique- fantastic all round mix, and ticks all the boxes in terms of what United lack. Luis Fabiano is good, but there's something about him that tells me a club of Sevilla's stature is a better environment for him.

[Louise]

Ah just read a previous article on him. Seems he does have problems settling. Fair play to him that he admitted he had a problem though.

[Sam A.H.H.]

he's a goal poacher, a little like van nistelrooy and personally I think the best poacher available is huntelaar. plus all dutch players seem to find the net in england

[Louise]

33 goals in 38 games for 8.4(?)mil i'd say it's worth the risk. It's not like SAF doesn't know how to handle firecrackers(would Keano have lasted that long at any other club?).Honestly, i've not seen enough of him to make a proper judgement as i don't watch La Liga regularly enough, so thanks to the poster above, i hope he can live up to your praise.
It is important though that an ego doesn't arrive and upset the apple cart. We have amazing team spirit and i'm happy with what we have at the moment(Manucho should be on his way) and i want to see the youngsters like Wellbeck and Campbell get a chance, we already let Rossi go. If we got one of Berbatov/Zlatan/Benzema/Villa/Eto'o it would be difficult to keep the balance and everyone happy.
As for him not wanting to relocate i can assure you it's not that bad up North(he'd be in Manchester not Liverpool ;) ), besides it's a pretty plum opportunity to play for United and work alongside the best player in the world.

Havent seen much of Fabiano but from what I have seen there he looks like just the man to step into the striking role once ocuppied by Van Nistellroy at United.From what I can see he scores all types of goals as well as the tap ins.Fergie would also be best equipped do handle his fiery character Quieroz can deal with the language barrier,sign him quick before Chelsea do.

Andrew Dublin Ireland

[SHAUN]

From the video above Luis looks like he can do everything a professional footballer would dream of.

His linking with other players looks class, his touch is brilliant, he has got flair, he is good in the air, can take free kicks and above all he is a prolific finisher!!! bring him to the prem!!

[dave]

He is quality. But he is in no way a man utd player, they want a team player not a pre-madonna. Give frazier campbell a chance and sign another striker on the way up in his career. Rooney and Tevez have scored more goals than any other front 2 this season, why change that needlessly? Which one of those two will want to sit on the bench every week? If they want a physically challanging player then dean ashton must be the man - he is the new sheringham.

[Robert Thomas]

Having watched Luis Fabiano over the years in Spain, I can assure you that he is class. In Brazil he is now considered Dunga's first choice striker. His first touch is excellent, meaning that a)he can receive little passes slipped to him in tight spaces whilst throwing off his marker, thus buying himself room, which will make him perfect for Champion's League matches b) even in the Prem, playing against a high defensive line he has the pace and the guile to beat the offside trap and run onto through balls past the defender's shoulder c)he also likes to get involved in the build-up play, such an integral part of United's game these days. On field at least, the guy is class. Problem is, he doesn't control his own destiny as a player since he is owned in a Tevez/Mascherano-Joorabchim style arrangement. What if he doesn't want to relocate to North West England but his agent tells him he has to should the right money come in?