Manchester United have identified former Wolves captain Ruben Neves as the primary candidate to solve their midfield fragility, with the club hierarchy viewing the Portuguese international as the "safe pair of hands" required to navigate the remainder of a chaotic season.
Following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim and the subsequent appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager, the focus at Old Trafford has shifted rapidly from long-term project signings to immediate Premier League competence. A report cited by The Guardian (via Footboom) indicates that Neves is firmly on United’s radar, with intermediaries already sounding out Al-Hilal regarding his availability.
The "Adult in the Room" Strategy
The pursuit of Neves signals a pragmatic shift in recruitment strategy under sporting director Dan Ashworth. While the INEOS era began with a promise to target players under 25, the current crisis demands experience. United’s midfield has looked porous and leaderless for much of the 2025/26 campaign, exposing the defence and leaving young talents like Kobbie Mainoo overworked.
Neves, now 28, fits the profile of a "plug-and-play" solution. Having made over 250 appearances for Wolves, he requires no adaptation period to the pace of English football. His ability to dictate tempo, screen the back four, and offer a threat from distance addresses three specific weaknesses in the current United squad.
Carrick’s Influence?
The links to Neves cannot be divorced from the arrival of Michael Carrick in the dugout. As a former deep-lying playmaker himself, Carrick understands better than anyone the necessity of a controller in the engine room. Neves shares many stylistic traits with Carrick—distribution range, positional discipline, and an aversion to unnecessary risk.
It is understood that Carrick has given his blessing to the pursuit, viewing Neves as the perfect foil to liberate Mainoo. With Casemiro’s legs fading and Manuel Ugarte still struggling for consistency, Neves represents a reliable tactical pivot that the interim boss can build a structure around.
The Saudi Complication: Wages and Will
However, extracting Neves from the Saudi Pro League is far from simple. Since his ÂŁ47m move to Al-Hilal in 2023, Neves has been a standout performer in the Middle East, helping his side dominate domestic competition. Unlike Jordan Henderson or other high-profile exports who agitated for a quick return, Neves has settled well and is remunerated handsomely.
The financial logistics of a deal are complex. A permanent transfer would likely require a fee in excess of £50m—money United may be reluctant to spend on a 28-year-old given their Profit and Sustainability (PSR) tightrope. The most viable route is a loan with an obligation to buy, or a heavily subsidised loan deal where United cover a portion of his astronomical wages.
Is Neves Ready to Return?
Sources close to the player suggest that while he is content in Riyadh, the lure of a "big six" Premier League club remains strong. Neves always harboured ambitions of playing in the Champions League for a European giant, a dream that felt unfulfilled when he left Molineux.
If United can frame this as a chance to be the architect of their revival—and potentially earn a permanent role in the summer rebuild—it may be enough to tempt him back to the English rain. Check the latest Ruben Neves next club odds to see if the bookmakers believe INEOS can pull off what would be one of the window's most sensible, yet surprising, coups.