Man Utd target Rúben Neves to 'activate' Matheus Cunha

Manchester United's January transfer plan

According to The Times, Manchester United are considering a major transfer move for midfielder Rúben Neves in January. The 28-year-old, currently playing for Al-Hilal, is reportedly keen to return to the Premier League to maintain his top form and aim for a starting place at the upcoming World Cup.

For Man United, Neves' value lies not only in his proven talent but also in his ability to connect with the current key players, especially Matheus Cunha. His presence is expected to be the "key" to unlocking the best version of the Brazilian striker.

A special connection from Wolves

Rúben Neves is no stranger to English football and has a close relationship with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in the Portuguese national team. However, the biggest beneficiary of this deal may well be Matheus Cunha.

The two have played together 18 times at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Cunha joined the team in January 2023, when Neves was the captain. Although his time there was short, Neves' influence on Cunha was very clear.

During a visit to his former club in 2024, Cunha shared: "He played an extremely important role when I first arrived here and helped me a lot. Neves was the captain back then, and he helped everyone. Many of the players here now came when he was captain, and everyone received support from him."

Solutions to the attacking line problem

Matheus Cunha, Manchester United's summer signing, is having a somewhat explosive start due to injuries. Despite some flashes of brilliance, such as his brace against Bournemouth, the club's management still expects more from him. For Cunha to reach his full potential, he needs more possession in the attacking third, and this is where Rúben Neves can make a difference.

Data from Opta shows that Neves has impressive ball-carrying ability, averaging 10.1 meters per game in the Saudi Pro League. This demonstrates his forward-thinking approach to the game. While in England, Neves was also among the top 10 players with the best progressive passing statistics in the league.

The perfect piece for Ruben Amorim's system.

Under coach Ruben Amorim, the tactical system required midfielders to move the ball forward quickly and efficiently. This is Neves' forte.

Statistics from FotMob show that Neves is Al-Hilal's most effective long-passer, averaging 5.5 long passes per game with an accuracy rate of 75%. His ability to make long passes over the top will help Man United play more directly, quickly getting the ball to striker Benjamin Sesko or into spaces for Matheus Cunha to exploit.

With a transfer fee considered reasonable given his contract is nearing its end, coupled with his tactical understanding and ability to connect with his teammates, Rúben Neves is seen as a strategic target who could help manager Ruben Amorim shape Manchester United's playing style in the second half of the season.