Siddharth Juyal
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has claimed that he would love to see the club sign Joao Neves from Benfica
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes named Benfica’s Joao Neves as the player he would love to see at the club. The Red Devils have sent scouts during the Benfica’s game to assess the 19-year-old defensive midfielder.
United are planning to sign a defensive midfielder to have a long-term solution for Casemiro. This season, the Brazil captain’s fitness and form have been a struggle, and an injury has currently sidelined him.
The Red Devils have suffered from vulnerabilities in all departments this season as their core players failed to perform consistently. United have lost nine out of 18 games in all competitions while conceding 30 goals with immense fragility in midfield.
Speaking to Sport TV (h/t Manchester Evening News), Fernandes praised Neves and expressed his desire to see him at United. He said:
“I would love to have him at United, he has top quality! But it’s João’s choice. He’s a great player but it depends on the manager’s ideas! He will have a great future, in United or somewhere else.”
Neves is an all-action midfielder with immense potential and exceptional technical and physical prowess. The Portugal international has deceitful strength despite his small stature to hold his own in one-on-one duels.
The 19-year-old possesses impressive ball control and the ability to dribble in congested spaces to navigate out of danger. Neves is mature beyond his age in decision-making and communicating with his teammates while providing constant support on possession.
The Portuguese has shown his attacking capabilities but that aspect needs more nurturing with experience and coaching. Defensively, Neves can regain possession with skilful tackles and use of tactical awareness to intercept the opposition’s attack.
The 19-year-old broke into the first team after capitalizing on the departure of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea in January 2023. The Portuguese midfielder established himself as a pivotal part of Benfica’s midfield this season.
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Fernandes has trained alongside Neves in the Portugal camp and possesses first-hand knowledge about the young midfielder. The 29-year-old’s stamp of approval might act as a catalyst for United to act upon their interest in the Portuguese.
