With 177 Premier League appearances under his belt, Ruben Neves is the latest name to be linked with a move to Manchester United as part of widespread Ineos alterations.
Having enjoyed five seasons in England’s top tier, operating at the heart of a Wolves midfield, the Portuguese gained a reputation as a hard-hitting athlete with enough technical sophistication to mix it with the best.
A desire to play Champions League football inevitably led to a potential move to Barcelona, before Al Hilal made him Molineux’s most lucrative sale in a £47 million deal.
Now, three seasons into his Saudi journey, the 28-year-old is keen on a potential return to England with his contract set to expire in the summer.
As such, United have considered launching a £17m bid to secure his services in January, viewing him as a cog who could complement the existing squad during their search for European football.
Our sources have indicated that Neves is one of several options, given his domestic experience, relationship with several squad members, and ability to hit the ground running.
But what would the player offer Michael Carrick, and does he possess the qualities that a demanding Old Trafford audience anticipates?
Would Ruben Neves strengthen Manchester United?
Operating as a defensive midfielder for the majority of his career, Neves is a combative player with the expected technical ability of a Portuguese international.
Despite sitting deep, often ahead of a rigid backline, he supplied 21 goals and nine assists during his time in the Premier League.
Although the level of competition has reduced since his move to Al Hilal, the Mozelos native has emphasised his class in upping his output with 45 goal contributions (17 goals, 28 assists) in 112 appearances.
| Ruben Neves Premier League statistics per 90 – 22/23 via sofascore.com | Appearances (35 – 3023 minutes) |
| Touches | 73.5 |
| Key passes | 0.9 |
| Accurate passes | 48.8 (84% completion) |
| Interceptions | 1.4 |
| Tackles | 2.3 |
| Duels won | 4.0 (53%) |
| Clearances | 2.3 |
At a time when United officials hope to galvanise a midfield combination including Kobbie Mainoo, squad depth will play a critical role. In Neves, an experienced blend of defence and attack could prove a shrewd pickup.
While Elliot Anderson remains the priority target for Jason Wilcox and Co, the potential departures of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte dictate at least two midfield arrivals before the end of the summer window.
In an ideal world, the club could flex its financial muscle and acquire a pair from the trio of Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Anderson.
Unfortunately, the ramifications of two decades of financial mismanagement under the Glazer family have cemented the necessity for shrewd operations. While Profit and Sustainability requirements also loom large.
It is for those reasons that names like Neves and James Garner have surfaced as viable options to fortify internal ambitions of achieving Project 150.
Regardless, it remains unclear if the club will pursue a deal for the Portuguese. Additionally, alternatives such as Wilfred Ndidi have been offered to the 20-time English champions.
Should Carrick receive the services of the one-time Wolves star, we can’t help but feel that he could prove to be a valuable squad player during this crucial 16-game run.
Despite the demands for a plethora of multi-million-pound signings, sometimes, a calculated arrival can make all the difference.
How do you feel about the prospect of welcoming Ruben Neves to Manchester? Let us know in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by vitaliivitleo via depositphotos.com.
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