Who is Joao Neves? The teenager to succeed Casemiro at Man Utd

 

There is nothing quite like a drawn out transfer saga at Manchester United in their bid to add a new central midfielder. Fans will remember Ander Herrera's long-protracted switch to Old Trafford back in 2014, and who can forget the failed efforts to sign Frenkie de Jong almost 18 months ago? It also took some time for United to finally land Mason Mount over the summer, though the former Chelsea man has struggled in the opening months of his time at the club. 

 

Supporters, then, are hoping they can avoid another chronicle in their efforts to bolster in the middle of the park this year as United reportedly put the gears into motion to add another body in the middle of the park. With both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen the wrong side of 30, United are understandably weighing up the possibility of an injection of fresh blood in a key area of the pitch. 

 

And if reports are to believed, Benfica's Joao Neves is the club's top target. A January transfer is unlikely unless United are prepared to trigger the midfielder's rumoured €120m release clause, but the least the Premier League side can do now is lay the groundwork for a potential summer switch. Neves only turned 19 back in September yet he has established himself as a key man in Roger Schmidt's side. Indeed, a WhoScored rating of 7.32 is the best of all central midfielders in Liga Portugal this season. 

 

United's interest in Neves shouldn't come as a huge shock. Casemiro was the ideal ball winner for the club when he joined from Real Madrid 18 months ago but his advancing years means he's starting to lose that yard of pace. This lessens his influence in front of the defence, so much so that despite not featuring in a league match since early October, only Bruno Fernandes (34) and Eriksen (17) have been dribbled past more times than Casemiro (15) of all players for Erik ten Hag's side. 

 

By comparison, Neves has been dribbled past just 16 times in Liga Portugal this season despite registering almost double the league minutes Casemiro has managed. Of course, context must be applied to the comparison in numbers. Both Benfica and United implement different styles of play under their respective managers, with the former's possession average (60.7%) ranking second in Liga Portugal and the latter's (52.5%) placing ninth. 

 

 

Nevertheless, Neves has proven a fine ball winner when called upon having made 38 tackles in Liga Portugal this season; only centre-back Antonio Silva (40) has made more for the defending champions, with the former returning a solid tackle success rate of 70.4% in the process. Given his age, that number should rise over time with inexperience contributing towards a return that does require improvement but it's a modest success rate regardless. 

 

That said, for a player in his position, Neves not only needs to win the ball successfully in the midfield of the park but have what it takes to pick out a teammate when he has won possession. The teenager does so effectively as evidenced by a 89.7% pass success rate from 74.3 passes per 90. Again, the former is a sound average but is one that can be improved upon with time and the right coaching. 

 

There are obvious concerns about Neves that the decision makers at Old Tafford will take into consideration, notably his height. Neves stands at just 5'7" and in a key area of the pitch, this is a shortcoming - no pun intended - that can be exploited. More direct sides will undoubtedly seek to capitalise upon the youngster's height in a bid to pressure the United backline should they complete a move for the Portugal international. 

 

However, in the modern game, fewer sides seek to lump the ball upfield unless needs must, so Neves' stature is unlikely to be capitalised upon quite so frequently. When you consider that N'Golo Kante and Enzo Fernandez of past and present have impressed in the midfield in the Premier League, a player's height isn't quite the weakness that it once was. 

 

With the scope for improvement, Neves could prove an impressive pick up for United. Partner him with Kobbie Mainoo, and United's midfield would be sorted for years to come.

Who is Joao Neves? The teenager to succeed Casemiro at Man Utd