Manchester United made some big transfer blunders over the years, with Joao Neves the latest in a long line.
Over the past decade, Manchester United’s transfer failings have been consistently pointed to as a deciding factor in the club’s plummet from the top of football.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe slammed Ed Woodward for not understanding football, yet the former CEO was in charge of transfers for a large period before being replaced by an equally bad combination of John Murtough and Richard Arnold.
In this time of poor recruitment, United passed up the chance to sign Erling Haaland for peanuts, much to the frustration of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Other blunders include Moises Caicedo, Julian Alvarez, Sadio Mane and Jude Bellingham.
But last summer Joao Neves was the one that got away for United.
Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images
Photo by Diogo Cardoso/Getty Images
Manchester United cannot repeat Joao Neves mistake with Rodrigo Mora
Throughout the 2024-25 season, United fans looked on enviously at PSG and Neves who cost the French champions £60m. Ineos funded the Paris side’s swoop for the Portuguese superstar by buying Manuel Ugarte, a decision that looks endlessly poor.
United also wanted Neves last summer, however Ineos baulked at the asking price Benfica demanded, which now looks like a bargain even at the upper end which the Red Devils were quoted.
More United News
Before the transfers were complete, during Euro 2024, Neves and Bruno Fernandes were close which many assumed meant that the club captain had been sweetening him up for a move to Old Trafford – but it wasn’t to be, much to Fernandes’ frustration.
So this summer, United cannot make the same mistake with the new kid on the block for Portugal, Rodrigo Mora.
United have been linked with a move for Mora, as he is expected to cost just £37m in the summer window. The 18-year-old is seen as a generational talent and scored 10 and assisted four in 23 games for Porto during the 2024-25 campaign.
Mora would be an excellent fit into the number 10 positions for United under Ruben Amorim and it would be a move to please Fernandes who has taken a shining to the teenager on international duty.
Bruno Fernandes sends a message to Rodrigo Mora
Fernandes and Mora have just won the Nations League together, and just like he did with Neves, Fernandes has formed a strong friendship with Mora which United must take advantage of.
After winning the cup, Mora took to Instagram, writing, “There are no words… IT’S OUR PORTUGUESE”, followed by a heart and a trophy emoji.
To this, Fernandes responded, “Pretty little thing kid”, with heart eyes which shows the relationship the pair have together.
With Mora having Fernandes as a role model, Ineos cannot fumble signing the wonderkid to potentially replace Alejandro Garnacho.
It is a chance to right the wrongs of 2024.