Their New Amad: Amorim Wants Man Utd to Sign “World-Class” £34m Winger

Their New Amad: Amorim Wants Man Utd to Sign “World-Class” £34m Winger

 

 

With Manchester United set for a major summer overhaul, the club is already being linked with a host of names—many of them exciting, raw talents capable of injecting life into an increasingly stagnant squad. One such name is Pedro Neto, the £34 million-rated Wolves winger reportedly admired by Sporting Lisbon manager Rúben Amorim, who is one of the frontrunners to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. If Amorim gets his way, United’s right flank could soon be electrified by a player he views as “world-class,” a wide forward whose skillset mirrors that of United’s own Amad Diallo—but on a more developed, consistent level.

 

As United fans wait to learn whether Ten Hag will be shown the exit door after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, Amorim’s name has surged up the shortlist of possible replacements. The 39-year-old tactician has won admirers for his work at Sporting, turning the club into a title contender again and fostering a reputation for dynamic, attacking football built around pace, pressing, and tactical versatility. It’s no surprise, then, that Amorim is keen on bringing players who fit that model with him should he take the reins at Old Trafford.

 

According to reports from Portugal and corroborated by Premier League sources, Amorim has already highlighted Pedro Neto as a priority target. The 24-year-old winger has endured a challenging, injury-interrupted few seasons at Wolves, but when fit, he’s demonstrated a devastating combination of speed, technical flair, and game intelligence that has drawn comparisons to United’s Amad Diallo—a player Amorim reportedly admires but doesn’t yet see as ready to be a regular starter.

 

From Braga to the Premier League: Neto’s Journey

 

Pedro Neto’s rise to prominence has been far from straightforward. After breaking onto the scene at Braga as a teenager, he earned a move to Lazio, where he struggled to gain meaningful playing time. His true breakthrough came after a 2019 transfer to Wolves, where he flourished under Nuno Espírito Santo’s guidance.

 

Despite his youth, Neto quickly adapted to the rigors of English football, dazzling with his fearless dribbling, sharp turns, and ability to create chances seemingly out of nothing. In the 2020/21 season, he recorded five goals and six assists in the league before a serious knee injury in April 2021 sidelined him for nearly a year.

 

Since returning, he’s had to battle recurring fitness issues, but his flashes of brilliance have kept scouts and rival managers intrigued. This season, when fit, he’s looked close to his best again, producing several man-of-the-match performances and racking up assists thanks to his pinpoint crosses and progressive runs.

 

Amorim’s Vision: The New-Look United

 

What makes Neto such a compelling target for Amorim is how closely he aligns with the manager’s tactical preferences. Amorim typically sets his team up in a 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, with wide players expected to stretch defenses, beat opponents in 1v1 situations, and provide both goals and assists.

 

Neto fits that mold perfectly. His ability to play on either wing, though more naturally suited to the right, offers flexibility—something United has sorely lacked in recent years. Jadon Sancho’s future remains uncertain, Antony’s form has plummeted, and Facundo Pellistri has struggled to break into the first team. While Amad Diallo has shown promise—especially during his loan at Sunderland and in flashes since returning—he still lacks the consistency and end product that United needs in big games.

 

In that context, Neto could be seen as the ideal complement or even replacement, depending on Amad’s development. He’s more physically robust, more experienced in the Premier League, and capable of producing in high-pressure scenarios.

 

A £34m Gamble—or a Bargain?

 

The touted £34 million fee for Pedro Neto is both a reflection of his talent and his recent injury history. Wolves are aware of the winger’s value when fit, but the club’s financial situation and the player’s likely desire for a step up could facilitate a deal in that range.

 

For Manchester United, who have often overspent on underperforming forwards, a move for Neto at that price could represent a smart piece of business—especially if Amorim is confident he can keep the player healthy and motivated.

 

Moreover, with UEFA’s financial sustainability rules tightening, United must begin to operate more prudently in the transfer market. Signing a winger with Premier League experience, strong upside, and immediate first-team potential for under £40 million is a marked departure from previous high-risk splurges.

 

How Neto and Amad Could Coexist

 

One of the most intriguing aspects of this potential signing is how it might impact Amad Diallo’s role. While some may view Neto’s arrival as a threat to the Ivorian’s progress, it could also serve as the kind of competitive push that brings the best out of both players.

 

In fact, Amorim is said to be open to using both simultaneously—Neto on the right, Amad potentially in a more central or inverted left-wing role. That would allow United to field a fluid, youthful attack brimming with pace and technical ability. With Rasmus Højlund leading the line, and Bruno Fernandes or a new No.10 pulling the strings, United could finally field a modern front four capable of unsettling any defense.

 

Conclusion: A Calculated Risk Worth Taking

 

There are risks, to be sure. Neto’s injury record is a concern, and adapting to the pressure of playing for Manchester United is a different beast than performing at Molineux. But with Amorim at the helm, United’s recruitment could finally start to follow a cohesive vision—one based on tactical fit, development potential, and long-term upside.

 

Signing Pedro Neto for £34 million would be a clear signal of that shift. He’s not just another flashy name; he’s a player with a defined role in Amorim’s system and a clear plan for integration. United have spent too many years making short-term, scattergun signings. If Amorim does become manager, targeting someone like Neto—young, proven, and stylistically compatible—could be the start of something smarter.

 

If all goes well, he could be the player Amad Diallo grows alongside, or even the player Amad eventually surpasses. But either way, Pedro Neto could very well be “their new Amad”—and perhaps even more.

 

 

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comparison of Neto and Amad’s stats from this season?