Former Man Utd star tells summer transfer target to snub move to Old Trafford

Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic believes Red Devils target Joao Neves ought to stay at Benfica rather than make a "too early" move to Old Trafford or anywhere else.

Matic, who spent five years with United after joining under Jose Mourinho in 2017, was on Benfica's books for three years in between two spells at Chelsea. He was 25 when he left the Lisbon club, and won the Premier League in his first full season back at Stamford Bridge.

Neves, 19, has established himself in the Benfica first team after a breakout season last term. A number of clubs from Europe's top leagues have been linked, with United keeping a close eye on the teenager.

Back in January, Benfica put out a statement denying they had held talks with the Premier League club over a potential transfer. Roger Schmidt's team are on track for a second-place Primeira Liga finish after retaining the youngster's services, and Matic has suggested Neves would be well placed staying put for the time being.

“He’s fantastic. At just 19, he’s a fantastic player," Matic told O Jogo (via Sport Witness). "He’s the future of Benfica. Of course, he’s interested some Premier League clubs too. I really like this type of player, who is young but plays with a lot of maturity.

“I think it’s too early for him to take that step of leaving. If I were him, he’d stay at Benfica for a few more years to play in the Champions League and to mature more.

"I’m sure his time will come, so there’s no need to rush. João is already at a great club at the moment. I’m sure his future at Benfica will be very good. I think it’s too early to leave, but of course, in the end, it’s always his decision.”

Matic's comments are a little at odds with those of Bruno Fernandes. The United captain, an international colleague of Neves with Portugal, suggested the teenager is ready for the next step in his club career.

Neves earned his first senior Portugal caps in 2023, coming off the bench for Roberto Martinez's team in their last three Euro 2024 qualifiers. He also got minutes in both friendlies in March, a victory over Sweden and a defeat to Slovenia.

""I don't know if United rumours are true, but I know he is ready for that big jump," Fernandes said in March. "He is an excellent player, he's with the national team… that's also why the big clubs are after him."