Manchester United are reportedly looking at signing a midfielder this month, but won’t target former Premier League ace Ruben Neves. The Red Devils have been linked with potential January reinforcements as interim manager Michael Carrick looks to mount a push for Champions League qualification.
Midfield is an area that United are said to be looking at, but The Daily Mail are reporting Neves won’t be coming through the doors. Neves, who spent six years at Wolves, moved to Saudi Arabian outfit Al Hilal in 2023, but has now entered the final six months of his contract.
The outlet suggests that while United are admirers of the Portuguese international, they’d be unwilling to part ways with cash this month to get a deal over the line.
It’s a similar situation regarding Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has also been linked with a potential Old Trafford switch. The Englishman is currently plying his trade at AC Milan, but has struggled for a regular run of games under new boss Massimiliano Allegri.
The situation at United was said to have been impacted by the recent change of heart from Kobbie Mainoo, who looked set for an exit at the turn of the year. That was until Ruben Amorim - who hadn’t handed Mainoo a start in the Premier League all season - was sacked in the first week of January, causing the midfield gem to rethink his position.
Mainoo was given his first starting berth in the league since May in the derby win against rivals Manchester City, with reports since stating he is content with sticking around until the end of the season at least. However, if United opt to add a midfielder before the end of the window, it is claimed that could have implications on Manuel Ugarte’s future, with the anchorman having dropped behind Casemiro in the pecking order.
It’s also mooted that United are tempted by left-wing options, but won’t be forced into any deals for the sake of it. The three-time European champions had been spoken about as a potential suitor for Antoine Semenyo, before the Ghana international penned a move to City.
One piece of business that looks likely to be completed by United is the loaning out of Toby Collyer, who had spent the first half of the season out at Hull City. A medical is expected to take place at West Brom, which will see him join until the end of the season.