According to some pundits, Barcelona forward Neymar Jr. has had a poor season by his standards. Yet, the Brazilian has already been involved in 37 goals this season in just 35 games this season, which has led to reports of him being linked with multiple clubs around Europe.
Also Read: Reports: Manchester United plotting €200 million move for Neymar
While Barcelona would obviously not want the Brazilian to leave, having signed him to a new contract this season, the choice may have been taken out of their hands. Manchester United are reportedly keen on triggering his €200m clause, with a view to making him the most expensive player in the world of all time.
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Here are 5 reasons why Neymar should join Manchester United:
#5 The Jose Mourinho effect
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals every season before Jose Mourinho: 5, 6, 9, 12, 23, 42, 26, 33
Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals every season with Jose Mourinho: 53, 60, 55
For all the allegations that Jose Mourinho does not know how to ‘develop’ young players, the Portuguese manager is absolutely brilliant at polishing the strengths of his biggest superstars. Cristiano Ronaldo went from a tricky winger with a superb goal-scoring record to the best and most ruthlessly efficient player in the world, under Jose Mourinho.
Neymar Jr. is at the stage of his career where he could absolutely explode – Jose Mourinho could iron out his need to showboat at unnecessary times, and get the Brazilian to focus more on his goalscoring. The Barcelona forward is the one player who could break the Ronaldo – Messi duopoly over the Ballon d’Or and Jose Mourinho is the perfect manager to take him there – not Juan Carlos Unzue.
Even Neymar agrees:
The Premier League has top-level coaches like Mourinho and [Pep] Guardiola. These are coaches any player would like to play for.
#4 Lift Manchester United’s Brazilian curse
Manchester United are the biggest club in the world.
Brazil is the biggest footballing nation in the world.
Yet, the list of Brazilians who have played for Manchester United reads - Kleberson, Anderson, Rodrigo Possebon, Rafael, Fabio and Andreas Pereira.
It is simply astonishing that these two football powerhouses have never combined together. They share many similarities – for these two footballing institutions, winning is not enough – you have to win the right way. They have both fallen on hard times of late, although Neymar Jr. seems to be sparking a Brazilian revival on the international scene.
He can do the same for Manchester United. Neymar Jr. can be that perfect catalyst, who can inspire millions of young Brazilians to don the iconic Red Devils jersey with pride.
Old Trafford simply must get a Samba flavour.
#3 The Premier League is tailor-made for Neymar
Neymar Jr. wants to play in the Premier League. Don’t take my word for it, he’s said it himself:
It's a championship that surprises me. I like the playing style and the teams. I admire Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool - these are the teams that are always fighting for the title. I'd like to play there.
The Premier League would love to have him too – Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez are alright, but they cannot compare when it comes to getting pulses racing with a drop of a shoulder or a shimmy of his feet. Neymar would be the stardust the most popular league in the world deserves. not to mention that the Brazilian would thrive in England.
La Liga’s style of defending is a lot more ‘tactical’ than the Premier League, although Neymar does retain the distinction of being the most fouled player in Spain. The Premier League’s blood-and-thunder style of play would offer Neymar more space to wreak havoc, which he would relish doing on the hallowed Old Trafford turf.
#2 A new challenge
A player of Neymar’s qualities deserves to play in one of the best clubs in the world. In terms of pedigree, only Real Madrid and of late, Barcelona can rival the Red Devils. Neymar has won all possible trophies with Barcelona, if he stays with the La Liga side, he will remain in his comfort zone as a player.
The best Manchester United can hope for this season is a top 4 spot, but they are already being tipped to be the favourites for the Premier League next season, as Mourinho has managed to imprint a style of play that excites and delights. Neymar would walk in the side in his favoured left wing position, which would serve to lift the games of those around him.
Paul Pogba has wilted under the harsh spotlight of a 100m fee, to a degree, but the Frenchman would raise his levels to the brilliant heights we know he can achieve, if Neymar were to play on the same pitch. The Frenchman has already shown that he can combine with Zlatan brilliantly – the mouth waters at the thought of what him and Neymar can achieve together.
#1 Lionel Messi’s shadow
As much as any Barcelona fan would love to deny it, the evidence is strong – Lionel Messi thwarts Neymar’s impact on the pitch. It’s a credit to the Brazilian that he opts to be more of a provider with Neymar and Suarez plundering the goals around him, but when Messi’s not around, Neymar transforms into a stunning player.
Just watch him play for Brazil – there is a freedom and verve that the Nou Camp has never seen. Well they briefly did, when Messi was injured at the start of the 2015/16 season. and Neymar carried the team.
Also Read: All rise for Prince Neymar, the imperfect heir to Messi's throne at Barcelona
There are those who would argue that Neymar has to wait, and he will eventually succeed Messi at Barcelona - the Argentine forward has another 5 years left in him, at the age of 29. After 5 years, Neymar will be 30, and will have spent the prime of his career playing second fiddle. At Manchester United, Neymar would be the undoubted king of the hill.
Neymar has to move, and it has to be now, and it has to be Manchester United.
