Manchester United explored a possible summer move for Pedro Neto, with the Chelsea winger identified as a potential option if the club needed to replace Marcus Rashford or Joshua Zirkzee. Neto remained at Stamford Bridge, with reporting indicating that he wanted to fight for his place under Xabi Alonso.
Source: TEAMtalk reported that Manchester United held tentative interest in the Portugal international, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester City. The report said Neto was aware of the speculation but did not push for an exit from Chelsea.
Why United needed attacking cover
United were looking for a versatile attacking option during the summer amid uncertainty around Rashford and Zirkzee. Rashford had appeared likely to join Barcelona permanently after helping the Catalan club win the La Liga title during his loan spell last season. Barcelona did not trigger his buy option, however, and Michael Carrick subsequently brought him back into the fold at Old Trafford.
Rashford returned to United and impressed against Ipswich Town last week. Zirkzee also remained at the club despite reported interest from Everton, Fiorentina and Juventus, while Carrick confirmed that the Dutch forward still had a role to play this season.
If either player had departed, United would have needed a winger and a backup striker. Neto was viewed as a player who could have suited that profile, although the reported interest did not result in a move.
Neto’s form and Chelsea commitment
Neto scored 10 goals and supplied 10 assists in all competitions last season. He has also scored once in the Premier League this term. Those figures form part of the backdrop to the reported interest in the winger, who opted to remain with Chelsea and seek to establish himself under Alonso.
| Period | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Last season, all competitions | 10 | 10 |
| This Premier League season | 1 | Not stated |
Multiple clubs, no move
United were not the only club linked with Neto during the summer. TEAMtalk listed Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City among the sides with tentative interest in the Chelsea player.
The report characterised the situation as interest and speculation rather than an attempt by Neto to engineer a departure. His preference was to stay at Stamford Bridge and compete for a place in Alonso’s plans, leaving United to continue with Rashford and Zirkzee in their attacking group.