Maicon profile: 10 things you need to know about the Manchester United target (plus video of the Inter Milan defender in action)
It seems that Manchester United are attempting to prize Inter Milan full-back Maicon away from San Siro . So what do we know about the Nerazzurri No13?
1) Maicon is a fleet-footed full-back who has endeared himself to the Inter faithful with his rampaging runs down the right flank. He also has a mean shot on him, which has procured 9 league goals in 97 appearances. He has already scored this season , in the memorable 4-0 defeat of AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina.
2) The 28-year-old is a regular in the Brazil national team, for whom he has won 50 caps. He scored on only his second appearance for the Samba Boys and has since added four more goals for his country. This one wasn't bad .
3) The defender has won the Serie A title in each of his three years in Italy. He also helped his side claim the 2006 and 2008 SuperCoppa - the Italian equivalent of the Charity Shield.
4) Maicon has also won silverware with Brazil, clinching the 2004 and 2007 Copa America and the Confederations Cup in 2005 and 2009.
5) Maicon scored in the 3-0 defeat of United States in the group stage at the 2009 Confederations Cup final and helped set up Felipe Melo's goal with a free-kick
6) There was disappointment for Maicon at the 2006 World Cup, however, as he was overlooked for the tournament in favour of Cafu and Cicinho.
7) Jose Mourinho had nothing but glowing praise for Maicon last season, referring to him as one of the best players in the side. “Inter are a great side, but without phenomenons like Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] and Maicon they would really, really struggle," he said.
The Special One also defended him when he was booed for an uncharacteristically under-par performance against Napoli. "Maicon played with an injury, despite neither myself nor the medical staff believing he'd be able to," he said. "He is a man of heart."
8) Mourinho also famously hugged a half-naked Maicon after he scored a crucial brace against Siena last season - almost getting his head knocked off in the process by the buoyant Brazilian.
9) Maicon got himself into hot water two seasons ago, though, when he was involved in a brawl with David Navarro following Inter's elimination by Valencia. The South American was originally suspended for six matches, but the ban was later reduced to three.
10) The Brazilian is unquestionably one of Mourinho's untouchables and so United will find it difficult to prize such a key player away from San Siro, especially after defeating Chelsea to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2006.
Many sections of the Italian press rate him as the best right-back in the world the player himself is more modest.
"I've never thought as myself as untouchable," said the right-back last year. "I feel really good but I know I need to keep working hard at my game to keep my place in a side as strong as Inter. I'm definitely in the form of my life; feeling good, playing well and appreciating the faith that's been put in me."
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