Benfica calm over 'Renato Sanches to Manchester United' links
Benfica youngster Renato Sanches has been recently linked with a move to Manchester United. The 18-year-old has broken into the Benfica first team this season and has been turning heads in the Primeira Liga. United will reportedly submit a bid of 30 Million Euros for the player as we come to the end of the January transfer window.
But manager Rui Vitoria is not concerned with the rumours and thinks Renato is doing well at Benfica. “Renato is mature beyond his age. He is being protected by a group of players who support him and are giving him a lot of help.”, he told SportTV.
The manager stated that attention should not be given to speculations that might affect the team’s mentality.”This situation is not difficult for us. If things happen, they happen. We all know that's the way it is. There is no point in worrying over things that have yet to happen.”
“There is no drama about all this. The team is very stable and that helps dealing with speculation like this.”,added the Benfica head coach. The Red Devils are also reportedly interested in two more players from their squad, Goncado Guedes and Eliseu. Guedes has been touted as the new Cristiano Ronaldo and has been named in the Champions League squad along with Sanches and Eliseu.
Benfica face Zenit Saint Petersburg in the last 16 of the competition and all three players are expected to play key roles for the club. Renato Sanches is already an under 19 international and has a reported buyout clause of €80 million. The midfielder's contract will keep him at the club until June of 2021.
The player himself has not shown any particular interest in the rumours. The moves for his teammates are unlikely to happen as we approach the end of the window with United probably considering a summer transfer.
Sanches made his debut for the club in October 2015. He has played 13 premier league games for the Portuguese outfit scoring twice in that time. Their 19-year-old winger Goncado Guedes was also previously linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, with United having now entered the race.
Louis Van Gaal has not yet signed a player in the January transfer window. After coming away with a 3-1 win over Derby County in FA Cup United have been handed a favourable draw against Shrewsbury town, the lowest ranked team left in the competition. Their next assignment is Stoke at Old Trafford, a must win game for the Red Devils.