A former Manchester United star told Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s top summer transfer target, Joao Neves, to reject their approaches and stay where he is for now at least. This is bad news for Ratcliffe’s transfer plans.
The British businessman wants to get Manchester United back to the top of English and European football. He did this by investing £1.3bn in 27.7% of the club in February, which cuts the Glazers’ shareholdings and their general control over the club. In fact, Ratcliffe has full power over sports at Old Trafford because he owns a small part of the company.
Ratcliffe has been quick to bring in the best football minds behind the scenes to help bring the famous old club back to its glory days. However, the start of the summer transfer window will really get fans excited and show how serious the INEOS boss is.
Of course, money can’t be spent on anything, and United will work with their new sports director, Dan Ashworth, to carefully manage their transfers and purchases within the Premier League’s FFP rules, which are now stricter than ever.
Still, Ratcliffe and Ashworth want to improve United’s back line by getting a new centre back, midfielder, and striker this summer. They plan to do this by letting go of some of their high-paid players, including, surprisingly, Marcus Rashford.
Another high-paid player, Casemiro, is also likely to leave, and Ratcliffe is said to want to bring Neves to Old Trafford to replace him.
The youngster from Benfica has become one of the best young midfielders in football, not just in Portugal but around the world. He does this by playing so well in the middle of the pitch that no one would believe he is so young.
As United looks for a new partner for their young star Kobbie Mainoo, it was claimed on Tuesday that United had talked to super-agent Jorge Mendes about the chance of bringing Benfica star Neves to Old Trafford this summer to play with Mainoo in the middle of the pitch.
Any move for Neves would also be okay with United captain Bruno Fernandes, who has praised his fellow Portuguese player in the media and explained why he is going to be a big star one day.
Last month, Fernandes said, “I don’t know if the United rumours are true, but I do know that he is ready for that big jump.”
“He plays very well, and he’s on the national team.” That’s also why “big clubs” want him.
Nemanja Matic, a former defender for Manchester United, told O Jogo that Neves should fight the urge to move to Old Trafford this summer, saying that it would be too risky right now and that he is already at a big club in Benfica.
Matic said, “I believe it is too early for him to leave.”
“I would stay at Benfica for a few more years to play in the Champions League and get better if I were him.”
As a young player (19 years old), Neves still has a lot of growth to do. Matic thinks that making a move now would be risky and could limit his amazing potential.
Matic told Neves that he doesn’t need to hurry because he is sure that his time will come, whether it’s to United or somewhere else.
“Joao is now at a big club.” He will do very well at Benfica, I’m sure.
“I feel like it’s too early to leave, but it’s always our choice,” she said.
This season, Neves has played in 49 games across all categories and scored three goals.
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