Portuguese press reacts to Man United target Joao Neves’ performance against Sporting

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Manchester United have been heavily linked with a move for Benfica midfielder Joao Neves this summer and the teenager is making waves in Portugal.

Casemiro’s future at Manchester United has been called into question following the midfielder’s omission from the side prior to his injury.

As a result of this, the Red Devils have been linked with a move for SL Benfica midfielder Joao Neves with Gianluca Di Marzio claiming that United were interested.

That interest has snowballed and if the scouts at United were witnessing Neves’ performance against Sporting Lisbon, they would have been impressed by the 19-year-old.

Neves shines

The teenage midfielder has caused quite a stir recently with a host of Europe’s top clubs interested in the Portuguese youngster.

Neves scored a last-minute equaliser against Sporting Lisbon before Casper Tengstedt netted the winner deep into stoppage time to give Benfica a dramatic victory.

A Bola, a Portuguese outlet, were full of praise for the teenage midfielder’s performance which showed maturity beyond his years.

“(The) Young Benfica player was once again fundamental in the team’s maneuver, he scored the equaliser and paved the way for an already unexpected victory,” A Bola wrote in their eulogy for the teenager.

Neves completed 90% of his passes, made 7 tackles and won 65% of his ground duels in a dominant performance in the middle of the park.

United’s interest

The Red Devils are interested and Bruno Fernandes, the club captain, has waxed lyrical about the youngster in the past.

The fee, however, may well be prohibitive with the Portugese side looking for a similar fee that Chelsea paid to sign Enzo Fernandez, according to O Jogo.

One player who didn’t perform well, however, was Goncalo Inacio, who has been linked with a move to United, he was sent off with scouts from the Old Trafford club reportedly in attendance.

The scouts would have been impressed with Neves as he looks to be the exact profile of midfielder that United have needed for a while but they will surely face competition from some of Europe’s best sides if they do make their move next summer.