Manchester United are being linked with a move for Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves.
As earlier reported via United In Focus last month, The Times claims Manchester United are ‘on alert’ over a move for Ruben Neves.
Neves is keen on a return to the Premier League ahead of the World Cup, with his contract at Al-Hilal expiring at the end of the season.
Ruben Neves points to head in celebration for Al-Hilal.
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Neves, 28, is regarded as one of the Saudi Pro League’s best ever signings, and he could be an instant hit at Old Trafford.
The midfielder knows the Premier League, and also knows Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot very well from the international set-up.
And there’s another Manchester United player who Neves knows very well too, Matheus Cunha.
Ruben Neves has emerged as a possible midfield signing for Man Utd in January
Still only 28, Portugal international, do you think United should sign Neves? 💷
Ruben Neves rumour
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Ruben Neves played with Matheus Cunha at Wolves
Matheus Cunha and Ruben Neves played together at Wolves. Cunha signed for them in January 2023, with Neves leaving months later in the summer.
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They played 18 games together, and Cunha holds the midfielder in high regard.
Speaking to Wolves’ media when Neves came back to visit the team in 2024, he explained: “He was so important when I first came here and he helped me a lot.
“He was the captain at the point and he helped everyone. A lot of the guys who are here now, they came in when he was the captain, and he helped everyone.”
WHAT would be your dream January transfer window for Manchester United?💰🔥
Manager Ruben Amorim arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park in 2025 in London, England.
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How the Neves and Cunha combination can work for United
Matheus Cunha has had a slow start at Manchester United after two spells out with injuries, but he has shown moments of quality, scoring twice, and named man of the match vs Bournemouth.
United need to see even more of this from Cunha, and one way to enable this is to get him more touches in the final third.
This is where Ruben Neves could be highly effective, because of his ability to progress the ball in midfield.
Stats from Opta shows Neves ranks highly in the Pro League in carries, at 10.1 metres per game, this demonstrates his desire to get the ball upfield, rather than play safe and switch it sideways. He once ranked inside the top 10 in the Premier League for progressive passes.
Ruben Amorim’s system relies on the midfielders being able to progress the ball up the pitch efficiently, and this is one big reason Manuel Ugarte has struggled during his opportunities.
FotMob data shows that Neves is by far the most efficient Al-Hilal player when it comes to long balls, at 5.5 per game, with a 75 per cent accuracy. This ranks him among the best in the league.
Neves can help United be more direct, getting the ball up to Benjamin Sesko quickly, and into danger areas where Cunha can operate.
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