Manchester United fans are excited about the potential partnership between Kobbie Mainoo and Joao Neves, but they see a problem

Portuguese newspaper Record report that a £50m bid from Manchester United has been rejected by Benfica, who will hold out for a more substantial sum.

Neves has a large release clause in his contract in Manchester United’s double bid, while the 19-year-old is already under contract until 2028.

Manchester United fans are excited about a possible partnership

Joao Neves has established himself as a regular in Benfica’s midfield this season and has also made his debut for Portugal, where they are heading to Euro 2024.

It’s a similar rise to Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo, now a mainstay in midfield at Old Trafford and also heading to the European Championships with England.

United’s bid for Neves indicates the club’s plan to pair Mainoo and Neves together, an interesting prospect if the club can find the funds to pull it off.

Supporters have been discussing Manchester United’s potential future midfield partnership and many have high hopes.

One fan wrote on X: “Kobbie Mainoo and Joao Neves could be football’s answer to Modric and Kroos. Watch this space.”

Another added: “With Neves and Mainoo, United will finally have a settled midfield duo for at least 5 years.”

A third simply wrote: “The link between Joao Neves and Mainoo… I’ll be there.”

And another supporter wrote: “Burn whatever money you have to make to bring Neves to United. This is a pivotal LONG TERM partner with Mainoo.”

Mainoo and Neves may not have a single quality

A deal to bring in Joao Neves would be an investment, long-term, regardless of price, but is a partnership with Kobbie Mainoo really perfect?

One topic of discussion among fans about this potential deal is whether Neves and Mainoo together possess the physicality to dominate the Premier League?

One fan asked: “Does a midfield trio of Neves, Bruno and Mainoo work? The midfielder is not tall, we should also have a taller midfielder in that defensive role.

Another concern: “It’s very important to sign a tall midfielder. You can’t put Mainoo and Neves together, they just don’t complement each other in any way, and besides, Neves isn’t a DM.”

While a third fan expressed his concern: “Mainoo is not tall Bruno is not tall. A midfielder Mainoo Bruno Neves is far from ideal.”

Mainoo and Neves could be good enough to dominate possession either way, while Mainoo showed his physicality against Erling Haaland in the FA Cup final.

But if there’s any doubt about that partnership, then United had better be sure it’s one that can be worked out. With Benfica demanding around £100m for the Portuguese star, this transfer must go through if the club pay up.

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