Amid this week's rumour that Manchester United have been in touch with Paris Saint-Germain to discuss a possible move for Neymar, we ask the question: Would signing the Brazilian superstar actually make sense for the Red Devils?
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There's no doubting that most fans would absolutely love to see him in the Premier League. Neymar is by all accounts a generational talent, a footballer who expresses his love for the beautiful game in ways not many can. We love him for his ability, for the brand he has become during a Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo-dominated era, so why are there concerns that a move for him would be a step in the wrong direction for United? It's complicated.
Six years on from his controversial decision to ditch Barcelona for PSG, it seems the majority of football fans still feel as they did back then – that his switch to Paris was a mistake. While one cannot deny Neymar's skill and high level of productivity, perhaps it is fair to question his motives. Why would a 25-year-old, playing alongside Messi and Luis Suarez, leave one of the world's biggest clubs for Ligue 1? I won't disrespect the French league, but recent history shows it has been rather uncompetitive for PSG, who've claimed the title eight times in the past 10 seasons and are on course for yet another one. But that's not why the richest club in France forked out €222 million (R5.2 billion) for his signature. They did so hoping the Brazil international would inspire an already star-studded team to European glory. If that is what Neymar will be judged on, he has failed, even though he has contributed to 39 goals in 41 matches in the UEFA Champions League for the club. His numbers are remarkable, but that is what makes his time in France so confusing. A brilliant player who has scored 118 times in just 173 appearances for PSG, yet someone a large section of supporters desperately want sold. Why? Injuries, the worry that his lifestyle doesn't always allow for high performance, and his staggering salary.
This brings us to United, a club that has experienced a sobering fall from grace after consistently being among the best teams in England and the world during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign. A decade on from the legendary Scotsman's retirement and the Red Devils are still wondering where their next league title will be coming from, all while watching their noisy neighbours earn praise for being among the greatest sides ever seen in the Premier League. This will hurt every United fan, but there's a sense of optimism around Old Trafford today. Supporters hoped Erik ten Hag would stabilise the club by selling unneeded players and bringing in influential signings, and he has achieved that and more. With less than a month to go until the end of the season, United are a point away from securing a place in the Champions League, they have already won the Carabao Cup and are in the FA Cup final, and the signings Ten Hag made at the beginning of the campaign made this possible. While the jury seems to still be out on Antony, his compatriot Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen have been positive additions. They've all, for the most part, earned every penny they've been paid by United through their performances on the field, Casemiro and Martinez in particular.
Neymar, though, supporters would worry about. He'll be accused of joining the Red Devils so he can continue to be paid handsomely, there will be concerns that his injury record will only worsen in the tough-tackling Premier League, that he presents a risk to the feel-good atmosphere at Old Trafford, that adding his personality to the dressing room would potentially turn out to be counter-productive. Again, nobody who lives and breathes football would ever be able to make the argument for Neymar not being among the world's best, but is that actually what United need? Personally, I don't think a rebuild, one that has started well, should include the signing of a 31-year-old who currently earns more than €500 000 (R11.9 million) a week. Neymar is a world-class footballer whom I'd love to see in the Premier League every weekend, but I'm not sure it's a gamble United should take.
Written by @KurtLaduma
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