Man United learn Joao Neves transfer stance as Roy Keane manager return rumours explained
It is all systems go at Manchester United right now with Sir Jim Ratcliffe putting plans into motion in the hope that a revival can be enacted, which may be fuelled through summer transfers.
Manchester United will be eager to kick on now that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion minority bid has been ratified by the Premier League and are already making moves.
Having already pinched Omar Berreda as CEO from Manchester City, INEOS is now targeting Dan Ashworth and looks to have made a breakthrough. The Newcastle United chief is considering taking up the offer of a move to Old Trafford with Magpies staff said to be bracing for his exit.
United will be keen to get him in ahead of an important maiden summer window for Ratcliffe. Erik ten Hag is targeting four areas for improvement, including at centre-back amid links with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite. Others have also been linked with United.
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Neves offers transfer stance
Benfica midfielder Joao Neves is one of those being connected to a switch to Manchester. The 19-year-old is being tipped as a star of the future although is already impressing in the here and now.
The three-time capped Portugal pivot might be an attractive prospect for United, who may show Casemiro the door this summer. Ratcliffe is expected to be more ruthless in his transfer dealings at Old Trafford, which could include a refusal to offer Raphael Varane a reduced-terms renewal.
Christian Eriksen’s future is meanwhile unclear with Brentford boss Thomas Frank opening the door for a return. Neves was asked about his future this week amid intense speculation around his future beyond the end of the season.
The player remained coy, insisting he remains committed to Benfica but refused to rule out an exit. Questioned over whether he will stay in Portugal beyond the summer, Neves said: “I promise to do my best in every training session, in every game, and I think that is one of my greatest qualities.
“I'm focused on Benfica and even more so on [Thursday's] game, which is the next one. I think I will do my best in every game and in every training session.”
Truth about Keane manager links with Sunderland
Roy Keane has long hinted that he may spy a return to management despite being at the forefront of punditry for Sky Sports and ITV. He admitted on the Stick To Football podcast that this desire has somewhat relented in recent weeks, but rumours have never fully died down.
Links with former club Sunderland were mooted upon the dismissal of Tony Mowbray in December. However, chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyf said was Keane never a real consideration in the Stadium of Light boardroom.
“The Roy Keane potential with Sunderland played out much more in the media than it really did in conversations that we had in the club,” The Daily Mail report him as saying
“The second we did make the change, I knew there was going to be criticism in the moment, but the only thing I try to do is to make the decisions that I feel are the right ones for the football club.”
Co-owner Juan Sartori added: “I think Roy Keane would have been fun, definitely good for the [Sunderland 'Til I Die] Netflix series, but maybe we had a third season of disastrous finishing.”