The sacking of Jose Mourinho saw Manchester United blow a deal for Porto defender Eder Militao.
Eder will leave Porto for Real Madrid this summer.
And UOL Esporte says in late 2018, United were in pole position to land the 21-year-old due after Mourinho had personally called to enquire about the player's availability.
The report stated that the Portuguese's relationship with Porto meant they were at the front of the queue to strike a deal.
However, Mourinho's Old Trafford dismissal in mid-December handed the advantage to Madrid in the hunt for the defender.