Manchester United have been linked with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, with reports in France suggesting talks between the clubs have already begun over a deal
Former Manchester United fan favourite Ander Herrera has given the club plenty to be excited about if a move for Neymar materialises.
Reports from France have linked United with a summer move for the Brazil international, who has been tipped to leave the Parc des Princes. Neymar joined PSG in a world-record move back in 2017 but appears ready to quit the Ligue 1 club after fans visited his house demanding he leave.
Herrera spent three seasons as a team-mate of Neymar before rejoining Athletic Bilbao on loan last summer and making the move permanently in January. The Basque midfielder, who was a Man Utd player for five years, called the South American one of the best in the world when they were together in France.
“Neymar is one of the five best players in the world and a candidate for the Ballon d’Or with Mbappe,” Herrera said in 2019. He made the comments on the eve of his Ligue 1 debut, which came in a 1-0 win over Strasbourg in which Neymar scored a late winner.
“I’m excited and happy to play with Neymar,” he added. “PSG is an incredible opportunity for me to play with players like Neymar, like Kylian Mbappe or Marco Verratti.”
Three years later, though, the Ballon d’Or hadn’t arrived, much to the surprise of the Spain international. “I thought that he would already have a Ballon d’Or, but I don’t rule it out yet. It is a joy to be with him,” Herrera told AS (via Goal ) in 2022.
Do you want to see Neymar at Man Utd? Have your say in the comments section
United are after attacking reinforcements this summer, with Wout Weghorst due to return to parent club Burnley and questions remaining over Anthony Martial’s future. The French frontman was questioned over his reaction to being substituted in Saturday’s win at Bournemouth, though manager Erik ten Hag played down the incident.
“I think he played well, he returned to the bench, he’s OK,’ Ten Hag said. “I think he just shot into the dressing room, I don’t know what you want to make from it.”
United have been linked with a number of strikers, including England captain Harry Kane and Atalanta and Denmark starlet Rasmus Hojlund. Napoli hotshot Victor Osimhen has also been linked as Ten Hag’s side brace themselves for a Champions League return.
A top-four finish is not absolutely guaranteed, thanks to Liverpool’s late equaliser against Aston Villa. Just one point against Chelsea or Fulham will be enough, though, as United look to follow Newcastle in booking their seat at European football’s top table.
Newcastle, who have also been linked with Neymar, guaranteed themselves a top-four finish with a draw against Leicester on Monday night. PSG will also be back in the Champions League next term, most likely as champions, and all but made sure of the Ligue 1 title with a win at Auxerre on Sunday.