Bruno Fernandes admits he would love the chance to play alongside Benfica starlet Joao Neves at Man Utd

Fernandes a huge admirer of his young teammate (Picture: Getty)

19-year-old Neves has been impressively filling the void in Benfica’s midfield since Enzo Fernandez’s move to Chelsea last January.

He has made 11 first-team appearances this season, scoring a dramatic equaliser in the derby against Sporting Lisbon heading into the international break.

United were credited with interest in the teenager during the summer transfer window with scouts from Old Trafford in attendance during the Lisbon derby as they continued to monitor his progress.

Neves was included in the Portugal squad this month after making his international debut during October’s international break.

Speaking ahead of today’s European Championship qualifier against Iceland, Fernandes was quizzed on his young teammate.

While admitting the decision will eventually be up to Erik ten Hag back in Manchester, the United skipper is confident Neves ‘as a very bright future’.

Neves has been a regular in the Benfica midfield this season (Picture: Getty)

‘It has to be the Man United coach who says whether he has a place or not,’ Fernandes said.

‘He’s a great player, I don’t know if he would have a place or not. It depends on the coach and his ideas.

‘But he’s an excellent player and an excellent kid, very professional, he will have a bright future wherever he goes.

‘I would love to have him by my side. Because he has quality and will have a bright future. It depends on him. What I want most is the best for him’.

🔴🇵🇹 Bruno Fernandes on Man United scouting João Neves: “I would love to have him at United, he has top quality! But it’s João choice…”.

“He’s great player but it depends on the coach ideas! He will have a great future, in United or somewhere else”, Bruno told @sporttvportugal. pic.twitter.com/TXGcUwGpvf

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 18, 2023

United have struggled in midfield despite the additions of Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat in the summer transfer window. The former Chelsea star has started just one of United’s last seven games with Amrabat an unused sub in their last two Premier Legue games.

Ten Hag has settled on the pairing of Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen in recent weeks but a knee injury suffered by the Dane against Luton will force the manager to shuffle his pack again.