Ruben Neves | Signed for Al Hilal (SA)

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Bebestation said:
My problem with him is that even though he has a good long pass - I only see it like once or maybe twice a match whenever I watch him.

He doesn't exactly play like Carrick or Scholes who are dictating the play from deep, dictating the tempo and positioning of our football with his passes.

I feel like I see this even more with Pogba than Ruben Neves - with obviously Neves being better defensively than Pogba is.
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Wolves don't really play long balls. They work it through midfield, get it wide to a wing back and sling in a cross for Raul, or play it to the feet of Podence and let him run at you.

He's more than capable of slinging 30 yard switches of play whenever he needs to.
 
Adam-Utd said:
Wolves don't really play long balls. They work it through midfield, get it wide to a wing back and sling in a cross for Raul, or play it to the feet of Podence and let him run at you.

He's more than capable of slinging 30 yard switches of play whenever he needs to.
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I understand it maybe down to how Wolves play but even for Portugal - is Neves dictating that midfield for them in a match the way we see Pogba doing it for France?

I'm not sure.
 
Mainoldo said:
But then we need someone to partner Neves? Can Jude Bellingham partner him? Tielemans? No they can’t.

Just go get Rice and another. That being Bellingham or Tielemans. That is all we need. We need to stop getting lost in mediocrity just for slight improvements on what we have. That is not how we build good teams.
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Why couldn't Bellingham partner Neves? I'm assuming there'd be a third midfielder as well. We'll surely start playing three in there like everybody else at some point.

I'm not 100% about Neves but if somebody can play with Rice they can also play with Neves.
 
Drizzle said:
Hardly any of those points relate to being a 'better athlete', only the stamina one. Very strange you're clinging to this phrase. Most relate to things like skill, tactical awareness, character.

I repeat:
The ability to drive the ball up the pitch. Much better tackling. Elite defensive shielding. Captain material. Tireless stamina.
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You think Rice could drive the ball up the pitch and tackle like he does if he was a lesser athlete? Of course those things like stamina, are dependent on his physical attributes.

Not that I'm dismissing them but physical attributes are fairly easy to get. We've got them now.

We badly need ball players.
 
Neves has been the answer for years. Sits deep, breaks up play and progresses the ball forwards with Premier league experiences and he is worth a lot more than 35m. We are talking about one of the best CMs in the Premier League. His value is 50m at the very least. There are so many good players available for free in the summer it would be insane for us not to get at least two of them. Kessie, Sule, Mazraoui, Kamara, or Zakaria could significantly improve us.
 
Bebestation said:
I understand it maybe down to how Wolves play but even for Portugal - is Neves dictating that midfield for them in a match the way we see Pogba doing it for France?

I'm not sure.
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To be honest with how Fernando Santos has Portugal playing I wouldn’t put any stock on Portugal performances.
 
Bebestation said:
I understand it maybe down to how Wolves play but even for Portugal - is Neves dictating that midfield for them in a match the way we see Pogba doing it for France?

I'm not sure.
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Not many modern day midfielders do dictate the play like you suggest. Most modern teams play with a unit that move the ball quickly.

The old school types that hang onto the ball and look for a hail mary pass are quite rare now.

The one thing Neves would bring us is technique, he certainly won't be losing the ball as frequently as Mcfred. Having his shooting ability from outside the box will be nice too.

We definitely need more than just Neves though.
 
Mainoldo said:
But then we need someone to partner Neves? Can Jude Bellingham partner him? Tielemans? No they can’t.

Just go get Rice and another. That being Bellingham or Tielemans. That is all we need. We need to stop getting lost in mediocrity just for slight improvements on what we have. That is not how we build good teams.
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No chance.

Without top 4, there is no chance we get Rice. Even so, we need to stop spending stupid amounts on players. When was the last time we spent more than £50m on a player and they have worked out for us?

Maguire? Pogba? Sancho?

We should get our scouts who are paid by the club to do their job and find players that can play in that position.
 
golden_blunder said:
Has there been any link to him or are people just putting this thread out again for no reason?
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Tabloid (The Sun) said today we would be trying to sign him in this window. Its the Sun so cant place much faith in that. But rumours persist....

In the end we need a passer and a destroyer in midfield, we have neither of sufficient quality. The liverpool trio Gerrard (Creator), Alonso (Passer), Mascherano (Destroyer) is a perfectly good example of a midfield trio who compliment each other. We definitely have the creator in Bruno and VDB, just need quality for a passer and destroyer.
 
golden_blunder said:
Has there been any link to him or are people just putting this thread out again for no reason?
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Talk Sport linked him to us and they've been pretty bang on the money for United stuff lately, surprisingly.
 
Should have picked him up in the summer when we were linked. Not a fan of player swaps, we just end up looking stupid when Fred/McTominay/DVB play a blinder every week at the new club
 
Marwood said:
Why couldn't Bellingham partner Neves? I'm assuming there'd be a third midfielder as well. We'll surely start playing three in there like everybody else at some point.

I'm not 100% about Neves but if somebody can play with Rice they can also play with Neves.
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Rice is a better defender than Neves whilst also more mobile and physical. Those attributes in an English at the top level need to be met unless your very technically astute which he isn’t. You say a 3rd midfielder. How do we do that with Bruno in the team?
 
romufc said:
No chance.

Without top 4, there is no chance we get Rice. Even so, we need to stop spending stupid amounts on players. When was the last time we spent more than £50m on a player and they have worked out for us?

Maguire? Pogba? Sancho?

We should get our scouts who are paid by the club to do their job and find players that can play in that position.
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The value is not the issue it’s the system and style. Neither of those players suit any system or style that has benefited us. Which I answered with identifying Rice and another. We also need to stop thinking we can buy any type quality player just because we have a system. That’s not how it works. You still need quality which for United will mean spending money. We aren’t going to find a £25m gem from Leipzig. Sorry to burst bubbles.
 
Adam-Utd said:
Not many modern day midfielders do dictate the play like you suggest. Most modern teams play with a unit that move the ball quickly.

The old school types that hang onto the ball and look for a hail mary pass are quite rare now.

The one thing Neves would bring us is technique, he certainly won't be losing the ball as frequently as Mcfred. Having his shooting ability from outside the box will be nice too.

We definitely need more than just Neves though.
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Is that what we need though? Are we missing someone with a rocket shot? I wouldn’t say so.

You say not many modern midfielders dictate.. but they battle. Is he a top quality battler? When watching him for Wolves he’s not the most mobile and his key attributes is his ability to recycle the ball. But like the person you responded to asked. Is it of a high level? If so why is he not doing it as the main guy for Portugal?
 
Mainoldo said:
The value is not the issue it’s the system and style. Neither of those players suit any system or style that has benefited us. Which I answered with identifying Rice and another. We also need to stop thinking we can buy any type quality player just because we have a system. That’s not how it works. You still need quality which for United will mean spending money. We aren’t going to find a £25m gem from Leipzig. Sorry to burst bubbles.
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Its that attitude that we can't find a gem for £30m. If we want to sign Declan, why don't we just sack all of our scouts? When was the last time we signed someone that was scouted by scouts?

All of our signings have been obvious signings. None of them have worked.

Who said if you spend £80m = quality player? I'm also sorry to burst that bubble, value does not equal quality.

Teams all around Europe sign players in their final year of contracts for £20-30m, clubs in France and Germany have players with release clauses under £40m.

If you scout enough, you will find a player that suits different systems and styles.

Also, who says Declan rice can play in an attacking team, we have only seen him play in defensive teams.
 
Mainoldo said:
The value is not the issue it’s the system and style. Neither of those players suit any system or style that has benefited us. Which I answered with identifying Rice and another. We also need to stop thinking we can buy any type quality player just because we have a system. That’s not how it works. You still need quality which for United will mean spending money. We aren’t going to find a £25m gem from Leipzig. Sorry to burst bubbles.
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This is exactly the attitude that seen us spend £80m on Harry Maguire.
 
Mainoldo said:
Is that what we need though? Are we missing someone with a rocket shot? I wouldn’t say so.

You say not many modern midfielders dictate.. but they battle. Is he a top quality battler? When watching him for Wolves he’s not the most mobile and his key attributes is his ability to recycle the ball. But like the person you responded to asked. Is it of a high level? If so why is he not doing it as the main guy for Portugal?
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I can't remember the exact figure, but when we were linked with him early in the summer I believe he was very high in interceptions or tackles.

I think we have to be realistic, our midfield is of a very average level. Neves is something different than what we currently have, Fred and Mctominay are too similar, both well rounded but not specialising in 1 particular area.

We've then got Matic who isn't a bad passer, but can't run and is easily dispossesed when standing still. DVB who barely exists at this point, and Pogba who dreams of sunny Madrid.

Is Neves world class? no. But he doesn't really need to be, just better than what we have. He could be the CDM/DLP we need, somebody to help bring the ball out of defence and get it forward without throwing it out for a throw in every 2 minutes.
 
This is silly, journalists linking us to everything, I am sure he is on our interested list but is A) Nowhere near priority or B) Available in Jan, I'd take him because he is better than what we have but it won't happen this month simply, don't waste your breath
 
I dont get the comments thats hes "too immobile" for us. Hes a passer, thats his job, get the ball, control the tempo, pass, pass, pass. Xavi Alonso was hardly the most mobile player but he was fantastic for liverpool as a passer.

Jude Bellingham is a complete nonstarter as dortmund arent going to let Haaland and Bellingham go in the same window. Rice would cost us as absolute premium, because hes english, PL proven and plays for a team that despises us.

Neves isnt the answer by himself, but give him the right partner in a double pivot and we could be getting a fantastic deal.

Klopp signed Salah, Mane, Henderson, Wijnaldum etc, all at the time underwhelming signings and not in the catergory you'd expect from a liverpool player. But the scouting was spot on and those players lifted themselves to a different level. No reason Neves cant do the same with the right manager and right style of football.
 
Even for 50m, if there a chance he could help save our season, I would definitely go for him. He is easily a clear upgrade from McFred - someone with similar defensive stats, yet far better passing.
 
dinostar77 said:
I dont get the comments thats hes "too immobile" for us. Hes a passer, thats his job, get the ball, control the tempo, pass, pass, pass. Xavi Alonso was hardly the most mobile player but he was fantastic for liverpool as a passer.

Jude Bellingham is a complete nonstarter as dortmund arent going to let Haaland and Bellingham go in the same window. Rice would cost us as absolute premium, because hes english, PL proven and plays for a team that despises us.

Neves isnt the answer by himself, but give him the right partner in a double pivot and we could be getting a fantastic deal.

Klopp signed Salah, Mane, Henderson, Wijnaldum etc, all at the time underwhelming signings and not in the catergory you'd expect from a liverpool player. But the scouting was spot on and those players lifted themselves to a different level. No reason Neves cant do the same with the right manager and right style of football.
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On this I'd like to see Neves and Fred in a pivot together. Fred giving him the extra legs and energy around him.

I've never been a huge fan of Neves but he's a level above anything we have in passing range (aside from Pogba but we assume he's leaving.) I think Neves and Fred could have some potential, especially if we have a hard working number 10 ahead of them in Bruno. Fred stepping up to help in the press and winning the ball so we can break, which he's been excellent at.

Anything would be better than Matic and Scott which is a pure horror show.
 
Bebestation said:
My problem with him is that even though he has a good long pass - I only see it like once or maybe twice a match whenever I watch him.

He doesn't exactly play like Carrick or Scholes who are dictating the play from deep, dictating the tempo and positioning of our football with his passes.

I feel like I see this even more with Pogba than Ruben Neves - with obviously Neves being better defensively than Pogba is.
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Carrick was an inferior player to Neves at this age and Scholes wasn’t even a DLP at this age.
 
Brophs said:
He might improve us this month but he’s not good enough for where we want to go and more specifically, he’s too immobile to be a really top midfielder.
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He would be better than what’s playing but until we sort the formation woes out, it’d be nothing to shout about. I feel like we’d be replacing him in a few years
 
Not sure what Neves really brings, he is a decent player I like him but other than rotation who would he regularly displace? he is not the type of defender we are crying out for
 
Adam-Utd said:
Wolves don't really play long balls. They work it through midfield, get it wide to a wing back and sling in a cross for Raul, or play it to the feet of Podence and let him run at you.

He's more than capable of slinging 30 yard switches of play whenever he needs to.
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Forgot about those, they were good weren't they?

gajender said:
Yeah add more mediocrity to the squad as if we currently don't have enough of that.
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Doesn't have to be prime Modric to improve that position and those around him. If you've watched Wolves much this season they've not been overrun by any of the big teams. Hes also such a huge upgrade on mctominay and is actually a quality DLP. Neves and Mcginn behind Bruno anyone?
 
romufc said:
Its that attitude that we can't find a gem for £30m. If we want to sign Declan, why don't we just sack all of our scouts? When was the last time we signed someone that was scouted by scouts?

All of our signings have been obvious signings. None of them have worked.

Who said if you spend £80m = quality player? I'm also sorry to burst that bubble, value does not equal quality.

Teams all around Europe sign players in their final year of contracts for £20-30m, clubs in France and Germany have players with release clauses under £40m.

If you scout enough, you will find a player that suits different systems and styles.

Also, who says Declan rice can play in an attacking team, we have only seen him play in defensive teams.
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That‘s the problem. You like to think scouting at the top level for a club of United standards is suppose to be magical. Man City signed Jack Grealish this summer. The summer before that Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres. I mean how blatantly obvious are they. So obviously guess who also was scouting them. That’s right Manchester United.

It’s simple you aim to get the best in class for your club or the youngsters with the biggest potential. You then fill out the squad with well scouted punts who can turn Into something.

What you don’t do is attempt to fill your biggest whole in the team with a £30m punt. Which is why Liverpools goal keeper was a record fee.
 
Adam-Utd said:
I can't remember the exact figure, but when we were linked with him early in the summer I believe he was very high in interceptions or tackles.

I think we have to be realistic, our midfield is of a very average level. Neves is something different than what we currently have, Fred and Mctominay are too similar, both well rounded but not specialising in 1 particular area.

We've then got Matic who isn't a bad passer, but can't run and is easily dispossesed when standing still. DVB who barely exists at this point, and Pogba who dreams of sunny Madrid.

Is Neves world class? no. But he doesn't really need to be, just better than what we have. He could be the CDM/DLP we need, somebody to help bring the ball out of defence and get it forward without throwing it out for a throw in every 2 minutes.
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Don’t get me wrong he’s an improvement. I just don’t think he’s good enough if are standards are beyond Fred and McTominay. There’s plenty of better options out there who we should be trying to capture. However he would be a good signing if the midfield just needed bolstering.
 
Mainoldo said:
That‘s the problem. You like to think scouting at the top level for a club of United standards is suppose to be magical. Man City signed Jack Grealish this summer. The summer before that Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres. I mean how blatantly obvious are they. So obviously guess who also was scouting them. That’s right Manchester United.

It’s simple you aim to get the best in class for your club or the youngsters with the biggest potential. You then fill out the squad with well scouted punts who can turn Into something.

What you don’t do is attempt to fill your biggest whole in the team with a £30m punt. Which is why Liverpools goal keeper was a record fee.
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Ironic you use Liverpool in that instance.

Salah, Mane, Jota, Henderson, Wijnaldum,Matip,Robertson, Oxlade-Chamberlain were all exactly that. Punts.

None of those were best in class when signed.
 
KingCavani said:
This is exactly the attitude that seen us spend £80m on Harry Maguire.
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That’s different. Our scouting system told us he wasn’t any better than what we had which is why we didn’t give the funds to Jose. We then went and spent even more money on him in the summer whilst not having a system to fit him in.

There was so much wrong with that business it’s hilarious. But it’s nowhere near the same as Rice except both are English.

But I will allow you to explain.
 
Would like to know who these alternatives to Neves for up to 40-£50mil are? Talking a passing midfielder, who can control the tempo, recirculate possesion and can do the short, medium, long range passing that we are missing.
 
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dinostar77 said:
Would like to know who these alternatives to Neves for up to 40-£50mil are? Talking a passing midfielder, who can control the tempo and can do the short, medium, long range passing that we are missing.
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They're a rare breed. That's exactly the midfielder we need though, not a destructive ball winner.
 
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