Nani always wants the best at Manchester United, and he believes the Red Devils made a mistake by not making a move for PSG’s star midfielder when he was available. The Portuguese star hailed the 21-year-old as a ‘clever footballer’ who would fit into any side in the world.
Manchester United Should Have Signed Star Midfielder, Claims Nani
The Red Devils has spent a lot of money on signing players to bolster its squad over the last decade. However, they have not found the right midfield combination and have been constantly chopping and changing their approach.
Nani believes that the one big mistake they made was not making a move for João Neves when he was still at Benfica. The Portuguese midfielder burst onto the scene after Chelsea signed Enzo Fernandez in January 2023, before PSG managed to lure him away in 2024.
The French side paid a stunning $81 million to sign him, but the former United winger claimed that it should have been the Red Devils. He heaped praise on the 21-year-old and told Metro:
“For sure, he would have been a great signing. He can run; he has amazing energy and all-round talent. He can score goals and can do anything on the field. He is a very clever footballer, who I think would fit in any team.”
Man United have been linked with a host of midfielders in recent months, and Carlos Baleba is one among them. The Brighton & Hove Albion star has named Paul Pogba among his idols, while also saying that he tried to learn from Neves, who is the same age as him.
He told Sky Sports (via Tribal Football):
“Kevin De Bruyne, Paul Pogba, Thiago Alcantara, and Sergio Busquets. I watch a lot of videos of them. I look at their positioning and their scanning of the pitch. But I try to be like Carlos Baleba. It’s my ambition to be the best midfielder in the world.”
“I just want to work hard, take some advice, and learn from the midfielders I watch. Not just in the Premier League, because I’ve learned a lot from there, like Rodri and others, but I also try to learn from players outside the Premier League. Like Ligue 1, Vitinha or Joao Neves. In La Liga, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets.”
The Red Devils made a late move in the summer window to sign Baleba, but the Seagulls were unwilling to sell, as they did not have enough time to find a replacement.
