Ruben Neves' comments on "great club" Man Utd and recent transfer declaration

6 Jan 2022

The Mirror

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Ruben Neves comments on great club Man Utd and recent transfer declaration

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Neves helped his side record an impressive win at Old Trafford, having been linked with a move to United earlier in his career

Manchester United look set to bolster their ranks in the January transfer window, with central midfield a priority, and Ruben Neves continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford.

The 24-year-old impressed in Wolverhampton Wanderers' victory over United on Monday, when he and compatriot Joao Moutinho got the better of Red Devils duo Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park.

Neves has been asked about United in the past, having thrived for Wolves since joining from Porto back in 2017 and helped the club earn promotion in his first season.

There will be some cause for optimism among United fans based on the midfielder's former comments, but on-pitch struggles and talk of behind-the-scenes issues under Ralf Rangnick may play on a few minds.

Transfer debate! Would Neves be a good signing for Man Utd? Have your say in the comments section.

Neves impressed as Wolves beat Man Utd ( PA)

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Neves is an international teammate of Manchester United trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, playing for Fernando Santos' Portugal team in their recent World Cup qualifier against Serbia, and spoke highly of United when his compatriot Fernandes moved there in 2020,

"I know him very well, I'm really happy for him. He's in a great club in a fantastic league," Neves said two years ago after Fernandes made his Premier League debut in a goalless draw against Wolves.

"He can now show everyone what he can do. There is a lot because he's a great player. I'm really happy for him."

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While the "great club" compliment is perhaps to be expected, Neves' more recent comments about his future should give fans some food for thought.

Speaking to the Portuguese media in December, he recognised there will often be talk about his future whenever a new transfer window opens, but pledged to take things as they come and spoke in cryptic terms about what might come next..

"The future will be seen soon," the midfielder said, insisting "My goal and focus are on Wolverhampton".

"I like to live in the present and I'm happy, I feel great in Wolverhampton and I'll focus here, because if I do things right I'm sure the future will be bright.”

Neves played his 150th league game for Wolves this season ( REUTERS)

Neves has racked up 166 league appearances for Wolves, with 127 of those in the Premier League, and has scored 12 top-flight goals in that time.

Links between the player and Manchester United are nothing new, with former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer considering a move for Neves before being sacked by United in November.

Solskjaer's successor Ralf Rangnick is expected to bring in midfield reinforcements in January, though he may need to offload some squad players before adding to his ranks.

Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek are among those who could find themselves surplus to requirement, with the pair already growing frustrated at a lack of league involvement.