Manchester United have only been under Ineos rule for a year, yet plenty of transfer business has been done.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his footballing structure arrived at Old Trafford in 2024 and have taken charge of two transfer windows so far in this time.
Things have significantly improved for Manchester United in terms of recruitment with Dan Ashworth – before his exit – along with Christopher Vivell and Jason Wilcox upgrades on previous chiefs.
Ratcliffe slammed Ed Woodward and Richard Arnold for their role in terrible recruitment over the past decade.
However, as right as the seven deals have been for Ineos so far, there have still been some blunders.
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images
Joao Neves has been immense for PSG
Ineos will surely be watching ongoings in Ligue 1 with envy as Joao Neves looks every bit the £100m player his release clause suggested he was last summer.
Despite being quite clearly the world’s best young midfielder, Ineos baulked at the Portuguese side’s stance on getting the release clause from United.
Bizarrely, PSG ended up signing Neves for just £60m, a complete bargain.
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Since joining the French giants, Neves has been unstoppable in midfield and last week dominated Liverpool at Anfield as PSG knocked Arne Slot’s side out.
Neves has tallied up four goals and nine assists this season for PSG, a remarkable feat considering he is far from an attacking midfielder.
Joao Neves Ligue 1 stats 24/25
Stats # Percentile
Goals 2 74th
Assists 8 100th
Chances created 29 94th
Successful dribbles per 90 0.87 67th
Touches per 90 96.89 95th
Tackles won per 90 1.74 69th
Duels won per 90 7.32 89th
Interceptions per 90 1.18 55th
Recoveries per 90 6.14 73rd
Neves has been so impressive, while it is also important to note he plays for a team dominating games meaning he isn’t often being tested too much.
United scouts see Neves as the one that got away, and Amorim will surely agree.
Ruben Amorim would have loved Joao Neves at Manchester United
Instead of Neves, United signed Manuel Ugarte, funding PSG’s move for the Portugal international.
Although Ugarte is proving valuable, this will be a frustration for Amorim with Neves likely to be United’s best player.
Luis Enrique has claimed that Neves’ ‘qualities were evident’, as per Tribuna, and these qualities would be greatly appreciated within Amorim’s midfield.
When considering what Amorim demands, intensity and running probably top the list in terms of a midfielder, which Neves brings in an abundance.
Obviously, there are no promises in football, but Neves is proving the hype was real.