"It was not all going to be smooth sailing" The story of Celio Silva's failed 1997 Man Utd move episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 21, 2026 · 10 MIN

"It was not all going to be smooth sailing" The story of Celio Silva's failed 1997 Man Utd move

from United Unheard

The 1990s had many infamous transfer episodes involving Manchester United, and one of the most bizarre was that involving Brazilian defender Celio Silva.In the summer of 1997, out of nowhere, it appeared as though the international centre-half would move to Old Trafford, before work permit issues caused a snag. Here, we reveal what happened, through the voices of the time.United Unheard delves into the archive of Tom Tyrrell, presented by Wayne Barton, to reveal more.If you enjoy Manchester United history beyond the headlines, subscribe to United Unheard for conversations that uncover the untold stories and forgotten moments that shaped the club. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 21, 2026

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"It was not all going to be smooth sailing" The story of Celio Silva's failed 1997 Man Utd move

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