Ruben Neves off? The latest on Manchester United’s midfielder chase
Manchester United’s summer to date
Manchester United have enjoyed a strong summer. Finishing second last campaign, they have added Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for 73 million pounds and Raphael Varane from Real Madrid for around 35 million pounds.
The centrepiece of the transfer window, however, was the announcement that Cristiano Ronaldo was returning to Manchester after 12 years away.
@Cristiano is back!#MUFC | #RonaldoReturns
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 31, 2021
With these additions, the onus is on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to get the best out the side and challenge previous champions Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League crown.
One of the gaping holes still in the side, however, is central midfield.
United need a midfielder
As became painfully clear in their 1-1 draw with Southampton, Manchester United struggled in central midfield, while moving Paul Pogba into the centre of the park against Wolves left the midfield woefully exposed.
FT: Southampton 1-1 #mufc
Manchester United need a defensive midfielder, if you weren’t already aware.
— utdreport (@utdreport) August 22, 2021
However, the chances of the Red Devils adding a midfielder to their ranks in the coming hours are becoming increasingly remote. Of the options, Ruben Neves appeared the most realistic, but a move for his potential replacement, Renato Sanches from Lille, has seemingly broken down. In turn, it seems unlikely that Neves will be leaving Molineux this summer.
#mufc need a defensive midfielder and Solskjaer wanted one, but one is almost certainly not coming in. Here’s why: https://t.co/RG7H9tbRZo
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 31, 2021
Indeed, Manchester Evening News correspondent Samuel Luckhurst reports that a midfielder is “almost certainly not coming in”, with fellow Manchester United target Eduardo Camavinga now on the verge of joining Real Madrid.
Eduardo Camavinga has just signed his contract as new Real Madrid player. Paperworks between Real and Rennes were already signed in the night for €31m plus add ons. Here-we-go confirmed. ⚪️ #RealMadrid #DeadlineDay
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2021
As such, it could be that the best hopes for Manchester United fans lie in the form of outcast player Donny Van De Beek.
Will this come back to bite them?
