Winter Surprise: Manchester United Target Neves as Midfield Refresh Beckons

Midfield links and potential departures

Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves of Al-Hilal has suddenly entered Manchester United’s radar as a potential future addition to bolster the midfield.

Neves left Europe in 2023, moving from Wolverhampton to Al-Hilal for about £47 million, but his contract with the Saudi club runs until next summer.

According to the British Daily Mail, United are considering Neves in the upcoming winter window, especially if one of their midfield trio departs: Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, or Manuel Ugarte.

Shifts in the middle and other targets

Casemiro is recently tied to a move to the MLS as his deal nears June expiry, while Ugarte has drawn attention from Turkish giants, though he has been underused, starting only two Premier League games.

Mainoo is expected to push for a January exit as he seeks a loan opportunity, after rejecting a Napoli loan in August.

There are reports that Al-Hilal could cash Neves in for about £20 million to avoid losing him on a free next season.

Meanwhile, talks over renewing Neves’s deal have reportedly stalled after weeks of negotiation.

Neves isn’t the only target for United, with others including Elliott Anderson, Adam Warton, Conor Gallagher, Carlos Baliba, Joao Gomez, and Tyler Adams also on the club’s radar.

Punchline 1: If Neves caps a move, United’s midfield might finally stop misplacing the ball—and perhaps the kettle as well.

Punchline 2: If the deal collapses, United can always hire a weather vane as a last resort; it points the way to the right direction, usually toward the coffee machine.