Ruben Neves | Signed for Al Hilal (SA)

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Higgy74

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Surprised at the negativity toward Ruben on here, believe me he’s a super player, does a lot of hard work that goes unnoticed, even though he seems to have stagnated at us last season that was more down to Nunos football than Neves, he’s a huge upgrade on Fred or Mctomlinay, I hope that if he does leave us it’s to you as like I’ve said before I have a soft spot for United, I was absolutely distraught when Jota went to the scousers.
 
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RedSky

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Interesting stats but these would suggest there isn't much between him and Fred/Mctom however I rate rate him a lot higher.
Well Neves makes significantly more Interceptions than McTominay and despite McTominay winning the majority of the tackles he's involved in, he simply doesn't make anywhere near as many as he should be doing. You look at McTominays stats and makes you wonder what his job actually is, as Fred does all of the tackling and interceptions and McTominays passing stats are fairly weak for a midfielder. I would assume it's due to McTominays decent Aerial stats, which he easily dwarfs Fred in and is better than Neves. He's probably one of the best midfielders in the league looking at Aerial stats to be fair.
 

gazbradley

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Can we stop the Carrick comparisons. No, Carrick wasn't that quick, but he was an outstanding metronomic controller of tempo and could dictate play in games against the best teams in the league. Neves may have something of the same features, but he does so at a substantially lower level.
It’s not the worst comparison to be fair, I agree he’s not a patch on prime Carrick but he’s not too far away from how Carrick was performing at a similar age. Carrick was very good at Spurs, especially his last year there, but his game improved immensely when he joined us and was playing with better players week in week out, some would even say it took a couple of years after signing before we saw his true quality. So it’s not that far fetched to think Neves could follow the same path
 

hobbers

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Better than McFred and a better player than Rice.

Would depend on the fee of course as to whether it would be a decent signing or not.
 

WolfInSharp'sClothing

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Had a scan of a popular Wolves forum and it seems they still rate Neves very highly, by and large. The feeling seemed to be that he needs to be more aggressive but is uber talented and a player they'd love to keep if possible.
I think he maybe needs the right players around him to get the best out of him. Put him next to a proper mobile midfielder like Camavinga and they could be devastating.

But put him next to Matic, Fred or Mctominay and you might as well just save your money and play Fred and McTominay.
 

Tallis

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He is a good player who will improve us and that price is great but I would rather sign someone who can be WC - ie Camavinga.
 

Berbasbullet

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I think he maybe needs the right players around him to get the best out of him. Put him next to a proper mobile midfielder like Camavinga and they could be devastating.

But put him next to Matic, Fred or Mctominay and you might as well just save your money and play Fred and McTominay.
How are his switches of play? Is he good under pressure?
 

JJ12

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Very talented who has gone a bit stale and in need of a new challenge.

Definite upgrade and looks to be fairly cheap at £35m.

Makes too much sense for us.
 

Organic Potatoes

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It’s not the worst comparison to be fair, I agree he’s not a patch on prime Carrick but he’s not too far away from how Carrick was performing at a similar age. Carrick was very good at Spurs, especially his last year there, but his game improved immensely when he joined us and was playing with better players week in week out, some would even say it took a couple of years after signing before we saw his true quality. So it’s not that far fetched to think Neves could follow the same path
Yeah, it’s at least a more apt comparison than ‘Rice is just a better McTominay’.
 

JJ12

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I think he maybe needs the right players around him to get the best out of him. Put him next to a proper mobile midfielder like Camavinga and they could be devastating.

But put him next to Matic, Fred or Mctominay and you might as well just save your money and play Fred and McTominay.
Fred is mobile, just very dodgy with ball at feet.
 

Zoo

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I think he maybe needs the right players around him to get the best out of him. Put him next to a proper mobile midfielder like Camavinga and they could be devastating.

But put him next to Matic, Fred or Mctominay and you might as well just save your money and play Fred and McTominay.
I actually think him and Fred would work really well together. Neves would sit whilst Fred would be the high energy box to box player.

Am not sure how well Neves would do as a 6 at the base of midfield by himself in a 4-3-3 though.
 

DavelinaJolie

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My wolves supporting mate reckons that Nuno wasn holding a lot of the players back tbh. I really like Neves and think £35m is a pretty good deal.
 

WolfInSharp'sClothing

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I actually think him and Fred would work really well together. Neves would sit whilst Fred would be the high energy box to box player.

Am not sure how well Neves would do as a 6 at the base of midfield by himself in a 4-3-3 though.
In a 4-3-3, you'd want him as the deep playmaker next to a ball-winner really, behind a more forward-thinking player.
 

Ace of Spades

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I think this makes sense, we need a DLP. We don't have a lot of players who provide what he does apart from Pogba and his future is uncertain, so for the price quoted I don't think it is a bad deal.
 

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Ruben Neves is not a very very good player - he is a good player whose attacking contributions are limited. In over 100 appearances he has 11 goals and 6 assists - which is marginally better than McTominay . And before you call mcTominay and Fred shit passers - their passing accuracy is better than Neves - of course that doesn't tell the whole story, but to say that he is a lot better than those 2 is simply not correct
He is a much better passer and that’s without paying attention to stats, just from watching all of them play.
 

Volumiza

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I actually think him and Fred would work really well together. Neves would sit whilst Fred would be the high energy box to box player.

Am not sure how well Neves would do as a 6 at the base of midfield by himself in a 4-3-3 though.
I agree, I think Fred would work really well next to Neves.
 

Abraxas

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I've always thought he looked a bit slow, a bit stodgy. A good shot on him and of course he can pass a bit but nothing that suggested he's a must buy for a top side. Not much of a dynamic player and not racking up the numbers to suggest a true playmaker either.
 

beingshe7don

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Neves, Camavinga for the price of Pogba wouldn't be a bad deal at all. That would allow us to play a 4-3-3 as well as 4-2-3-1 when required. I really hope this Pogba situation get sorted soon as Pogba's future impacts deals for other potential midfield prospects.
 

meamth

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24 years old, DM/CM, premier league proven.

People saying he has gone stale, what do you expect? DM scoring 10 goals a season?

Hojberg (now valued at 40 million since his move from Southampton) was a coup, I'm sure this one can turn into a masterstroke too.
 

DWelbz19

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He may not be that dynamic but neither are Jorginho or Rodri and they seem to be doing pretty well for themselves.
That's what was said about Carrick before we got him. Not all DMs are the dynamic terrier.
Yep yep don't get me wrong - you definitely don't need to be a speed demon with athleticism to pull off the role, I just think the three you lot have mentioned recycle and keep the play ticking a lot better. In Rodri's case, he's also far far better in the air. I think Neves pulls off the raking long pass in the level that the likes of Pogba et al can, but I don't think his short passing game is close to the likes of Jorginho, Rodri, or Carrick. Hard to say just how much of that is Nuno-tax, but I do think he is still a level below what you want in a top tier no.6/defensive no.8.
 

Beachryan

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Didn't realise he was that age, plays much more maturely. Would be an upgrade, in a way could do more of a 'Carrick' job than other options.

Also has pretty tidy set-piece delivery.
 

Artimities

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Neves, Camavinga for the price of Pogba wouldn't be a bad deal at all. That would allow us to play a 4-3-3 as well as 4-2-3-1 when required. I really hope this Pogba situation get sorted soon as Pogba's future impacts deals for other potential midfield prospects.
This... I was thinking the exact same thing. I'm not sure Pogba helps us as much as he hurts us sometimes. Its obvious he will not be at United much longer. For his value we truly could get 2 for the price of one almost.
 

Scholsey2004

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Great passing range and good tackling stats. Could do the Fernandinho job at the base of midfield. Genuine deep lying playmaker. Some argument here about his level but this forum spent a decade arguing about whether Carrick was good enough so pinch of salt perhaps.
 

beingshe7don

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24 years old, DM/CM, premier league proven.

People saying he has gone stale, what do you expect? DM scoring 10 goals a season?

Hojberg (now valued at 40 million since his move from Southampton) was a coup, I'm sure this one can turn into a masterstroke too.
Hojberg has been a phenomenal signing for Spurs and he's got a terrific engine. Just curious, you think Neves offers a similar work rate?
 

meamth

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Hojberg has been a phenomenal signing for Spurs and he's got a terrific engine. Just curious, you think Neves offers a similar work rate?
I think he can, he has been playing consistently well over the years when Wolves were on the rise. If he doesn't have the work rate, he shouldn't be playing in PL for how many years now.

We have put things into perspective here, Wolves lost some of its key players over the years and in transition. (Jota left, Jimenez injured, Nuno moving on)

It has been difficult for him to shine, I think any player will find it difficult if put in his situation.
 

Scholsey2004

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Didn't realise he was that age, plays much more maturely. Would be an upgrade, in a way could do more of a 'Carrick' job than other options.

Also has pretty tidy set-piece delivery.
Yeah, weve needed a deep lying playmaker for a long time now and they dont become available very often as frankly there arent that many around. I'd snap him up.
 

Vault Dweller

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Great passing range and good tackling stats. Could do the Fernandinho job at the base of midfield. Genuine deep lying playmaker. Some argument here about his level but this forum spent a decade arguing about whether Carrick was good enough so pinch of salt perhaps.
Goodness, what I wouldn't give to have that man in midfield again. Loved him.
 

edcunited1878

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He would be a good signing for the squad, especially considering squad dynamics for central midfield.

Within the next two seasons, United could be without Pogba and Matic. That would leave only Fred and McTominay as the senior CMs. Add a Neves now, then draft in another, while a Garner or Galbraith knocks on the first team. It's a functional, if not spectacular unit.

Need central midfield reinforcement with Pogba potentially off and Matic being an oldhead leaving.
 

largelyworried

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It’s not the worst comparison to be fair, I agree he’s not a patch on prime Carrick but he’s not too far away from how Carrick was performing at a similar age. Carrick was very good at Spurs, especially his last year there, but his game improved immensely when he joined us and was playing with better players week in week out, some would even say it took a couple of years after signing before we saw his true quality. So it’s not that far fetched to think Neves could follow the same path
It is entirely far fetched. Just because a player 15 years ago went from very good to great doesn’t mean an average player today will become great too, simply by joining the same club. There’s no logic to that argument at all.
 

SoCross

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Think he has another level or so in him, signing his type of player makes sense too. Would be keen at 35mn, definitely will be a good addition.
 

Adisa

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Surprised at the negativity toward Ruben on here, believe me he’s a super player, does a lot of hard work that goes unnoticed, even though he seems to have stagnated at us last season that was more down to Nunos football than Neves, he’s a huge upgrade on Fred or Mctomlinay, I hope that if he does leave us it’s to you as like I’ve said before I have a soft spot for United, I was absolutely distraught when Jota went to the scousers.
Does he ever play at the base of a 3 man midfield?
 

lysglimt

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Tbf I don't think goals and assists are particularly relevant given the type of midfielder he is.

Agree that he's not all that though.
Yes but what kind of midfielder is he ? He is not great defensively - he contributes little going forward apart from the odd screamer. Every time we play Wolves, he has had zero influence on the game.
 
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