Neymar to Man Utd: How PSG star can fit into Ten Hag ball

Robin Bairner

• 5 May 2023 09:50 BST
• 3 min read

Should Sheikh Jassim complete his takeover of Manchester United, the Qatari is tipped to finance some extravagant summer spending, with the purchase of Neymar from PSG one of the transfers touted.

Although a trio of France internationals have been linked with the Old Trafford club, Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions mean that multiple massive deals will be complicated.

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A transfer for Neymar, who is a player that PSG are willing to part with, is more possible.

And reports in England suggest that Man Utd will be interested in a deal should the Sheikh take command of the club.

But can Neymar, who recently announced that he is expecting with partner Bruna Biancardi, fit into the system of Erik ten Hag? The Dutchman, after all, is known for favouring a team ethic, as Cristiano Ronaldo so swiftly and spectacularly found out.

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Neymar’s possible Man Utd role

One of Neymar’s traits is his versatility in being able to operate across the front line, yet he most often operates as a left winger or an attacking midfielder.

At PSG, he has most typically played off the left wing, where he would face direct competition at Old Trafford from the in-form Marcus Rashford as well as Jadon Sancho.

According to data analytics experts SciSports, Neymar’s playing style does not align with the options that Man Utd presently have on the flank, but his versatility should allow him to adapt to that role.

Similarly, he is not a strong fit for Ten Hag’s favoured formation. PSG have typically used a 3-4-2-1, 3-5-2 or 4-3-1-2 system this season, but he was deployed in a more similar system at Barcelona and initially in Paris.

Indeed, Neymar’s game has changed in France. He no longer dribbles as often or is as big an influence in the box instead improving his passing numbers to become more of a creator. He still contributes over one goal per 90 minutes, so would best fit the No.10 role at Old Trafford, supplying passes for Rashford, Antony and Man Utd’s new No.9.