“Best business since 2011…” Manchester United fans will grimace after Champions League heroics from 2024 target

One player who was previously linked with a move to Manchester United produced a heroic performance in the Champions League this week.

Manchester United are rumoured to sign almost every player in Europe in each summer transfer window.

But the reports surrounding Joao Neves last summer were more than simple speculation, and United wanted to sign the incredibly talented midfielder.

Neves was a player who had been on the radar of United for a while and an exit from Benfica appeared likely, but a deal never ended up materialising.

Instead, the Reds signed Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain for a deal that could rise to around £50 million.

Ugarte has had mixed form for United so far this season but the more significant aspect of that deal was that this cash allowed PSG to move for Neves.

The Portuguese youngster ended up joining the French club for slightly more than £50 million and he has been impressing for them ever since.

Neves praised after Champions League heroics for PSG

During PSG’s immense 4-2 comeback against Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Neves dominated the midfield, especially in the second half.

The 20-year-old scored a goal, completed the most tackles (5) in the game and won the most duels (11) as well.

It was a complete performance in and out of possession for the midfielder which led to immense praise, and also some slight digs at United’s role in his transfer to PSG.

French outlet Get French Football News wrote: “Selling Manuel Ugarte for €60m to Manchester United and signing João Neves for a similar transfer fee might just be the best bit of business from PSG since the 2011 QSI takeover.

“The Portugal international lives up to the hype.”

Watching Neves stings for United fans

United cannot live in the past but Neves was quite clearly one of the most talented young midfielders on the market last summer and it doesn’t quite make sense why they didn’t push for that deal more.

Ugarte has shown that he has his own qualities, but there appears to be a ceiling on how impactful he can be in a possession-dominant side.

Meanwhile, Neves has the kind of attributes which every top team wants from their players, especially in the middle of the park.

Perhaps it was just a situation of the player refusing a move. It wouldn’t be crazy considering the place United find themselves in right now.

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That doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting any less for United fans who watched Neves light up that Champions League fixture.

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