Man Utd scouts view £60m star as ‘one that got away’, believe he’s performing better than any player in Europe

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Manchester United’s transfer window ended up taking on a slightly different feel to how it looked like shaping up early on.

In the summer transfer window, Manchester United spent £101.8 million net after sales, bringing in five first team stars.

Early in the window United were strongly favoured to sign Jarrad Branthwaite, opting for Leny Yoro instead, while also were hotly tipped to pursue Benfica’s Joao Neves too.

Neves was eventually viewed as too expensive with Benfica seeking £100 million. He ended up signing with Paris Saint-Germain for £60 million – with the price tag reduced because Renato Sanches moved the other way on loan.

Manchester United regret over Joao Neves

Joao Neves has gone straight into the starting line-up for Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain, who have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season, with eight wins and two draws from 10 games.

Neves made an immediate impact, with two assists on his debut, and he has had a starring role so far.

In total Neves has six assists and one goal, and United In Focus understands there is internal regret at Manchester United with regret a deal could not be done.

Insider Graeme Bailey explains: “The Manchester United scout I spoke to thinks that nobody in Europe is currently playing better than Neves… he is playing that well. They view him as the one that got away.

“United have loved him for a long time, and I think they thought he would be at Benfica until next summer [2025].

“United didn’t necessarily see a deal for this summer [2024], they also didn’t view Neves as a holding midfielder, which meant he was not a priority.”

Manchester United view on Ugarte

Neves being sold to Paris Saint-Germain did have an effect on Manchester United, as it accelerated Manuel Ugarte’s move to the club.

PSG were willing to part ways with Ugarte after just one season, because they felt that all-rounder Neves was a more complete player and better suited to Enrique’s plans.

United do have a specific need for Ugarte, who is still settling into life at Old Trafford. There is no regret over signing the Uruguayan.

Bailey explains: “Ugarte was seem as the right fit, what they wanted. They were delighted to get him and long term think he will be huge asset.”

Manuel Ugarte is set to benefit from the arrival of Ruben Amorim, his former Sporting manager, and says his teammates have been asking about him already.

Neves is a huge talent, but it’s no wonder United baulked at the fee, especially without resolving the defensive midfield position first.

Ideally he still could have been available to buy next summer, and the club can only hope PSG decide to part ways early, like they did Ugarte – but this looks very unlikely considering his blistering start in France.