Erik ten Hag wants to sign a midfielder in 2024 and Benfica's Joao Neves made sure to impress Manchester United's scouts when they went to watch him against Sporting Lisbon

Manchester United scouts watched Benfica starlet Joao Neves score a dramatic equaliser which inspired his side to a dramatic derby-day victory over Sporting Lisbon.

Neves, 19, emerged as a regular starter for Benfica under manager Roger Schmidt last season and recently made his senior international debut for Portugal. United boss Erik ten Hag is said to be demanding that his club sign the midfielder in 2024, with current options Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes all aged 29 or older.

Reports in Italy claim that the Red Devils had scouts in attendance Estadio da Luz on Sunday, as Neves scored a 94th-minute equaliser. Benfica then grabbed an injury-time winner just three minutes later through substitute Casper Tengstedt, claiming all three points to move top of the table and level on points with Sporting.

Neves did far more than score a crucial goal, however, as the midfielder completed the most dribbles (four), completed the most passes (45) and won the most duels (14). All that combined with four interceptions and six recoveries will've impressed United chiefs - and it's not the first time they've been interested.

Neves offers a long-term solution for United and former Benfica boss Luis Castro, now managing Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, believes that the Portuguese youngster has everything to succeed at the very highest level. Castro told O Jogo, via Sport Witness: "He will be worth much more than EUR25million (PS21.7m).

Get invovled! Would Joao Neves be a good signing for Manchester United? Give us your verdict in the comments section.

Joao Neves produced another outstanding performance against Sporting Lisbon ( Image:

"Knowing Joao, I think he is not worried about the next step but about the next game. He had good training at Benfica, but at family level he also had a lot of support. He is very focused. I believe that if and when he takes the leap he will be prepared."

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