Man Utd eye next Enzo Fernandez

Tom Weber

• Updated: 29 Jun 2023 20:27 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are keeping an eye on Benfica starlet Joao Neves, according to a report.

The Red Devils are looking to build for the future with Erik ten Hag keen to ensure that there is a firm foundation for upcoming success in place. This means that United are looking at younger players or ones about to enter their peak.

A deal for 24-year-old Mason Mount has already been agreed, while 21-year-old Moises Caicedo and two 22-year-olds from the Eredivisie, Taylor Booth and Mohammed Kudus, remain under consideration. Unsurprisingly, then, there are also other younger players being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

The latest one is a talented Portuguese starlet who could become the next Enzo Fernandez.

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United 'like' Joao Neves

According to Di Marzio, Manchester United 'like' 18-year-old Benfica midfielder Joao Neves. The youngster burst onto the scene last season after the big-money January sale of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea in a deal worth an eye-watering €121 million.

Benfica coach Roger Schmidt was careful not to throw the teenager into the deep end, initially only giving him short substitute appearances. By the end of the campaign, however, he was a guaranteed starter, even scoring against hated rivals Sporting CP as Benfica marched to the championship.

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Somewhat surprisingly, Neves ranked among the best central midfielders in the Portuguese league last season, according to data experts SciSports. Only Enzo Fernandez and Porto's Otavio bettered Neves in terms of overall contribution to their team's play, albeit with the major caveat that the sample size is only 594 minutes.

Nevertheless, the youngster was so impressive that his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) had skyrocketed from €300,000 in March to €5.6m by June. A more defensive-oriented midfielder, Neves is great at anticipating dangerous situations and keeping possession ticking over. A move to United would surely be premature at this stage in his career, however.