20 November 2023 , 06:00
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Erik ten Hag called on one of Rasmus Hojlund's international team-mates to help lure the Dane to Old Trafford, and the Manchester United boss may soon have a chance to do the same with Joao Neves.
Hojlund emerged as a key target for United over the summer, eventually completing a move from Atalanta worth up to £72m. While he has yet to open his account in the Premier League, his five Champions League goals make him the competition's joint-top scorer.
Fellow Denmark star Christian Eriksen helped convince his compatriot to make the move, and Ten Hag may be tempted to try a similar approach with Neves. United captain Bruno Fernandes is a fan of the Benfica midfielder, who made his senior Portugal debut in October, though Premier League links are largely speculative for the time being.
“We speak a little [already]," Hojlund said of Eriksen shortly after completing his United switch. "He called himself Agent Christian in the national team!
“It was quite funny because we spoke a little bit about the club already and he knew I was a United fan back then, so we spoke a little bit about it. He also helped me in the beginning here, showing me around Carrington today. Yeah, he’s a good guy.”
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Like Hojlund, Neves is attracting plenty of attention after making a name for himself as a teenager. After graduating Benfica's academy, the Algarve-born starlet made his senior debut last season and has been given more regular minutes since Enzo Fernandez's big-money move to Chelsea in January.
Can Man Utd repeat their trick with Joao Neves? Have your say in the comments section
Joao Neves has worked his way into the senior Portugal setup (JOSE SENA GOULAO/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)United's scouts are understood to have already cast their eye over Neves, who made his Portugal debut in a 5-0 win over Bosnia in October. The youngster was called up again for the November break, picking up further minutes against Liechtenstein, and Fernandes has been asked about the 19-year-old amid United links.
"It has to be the Man United coach who says whether he has a place or not,” Fernandes told Sport TV. “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, You will have a bright future wherever you go. I would really like 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."
Back in October, Fernandes recognised the rise of Neves and other Portuguese youngsters has forced him to fight for his place at international level. For the time being, though, he has remained in the side, helping the Selecao book their place at next summer's European Championships.
“I had to earn my place in the team,” Fernandes said, as reported by Portuguese outlet Desporto Ao Minuto. “I think I did it enough to and now, I'm having to keep my space. I want to continue like this, and, to do that, I have to demonstrate my level in every game.
“The kids start to show up... Joao Neves comes and he's a very young kid. They're going to be younger and younger and I'm going to be older and older, so I have to put the pedal to the metal to stay here."
Ten Hag might not feel Neves is the profile of player he needs at United. If he does want the youngster, though, he already has a first-team regular in contact with him on the international stage.