Exclusive: Manchester United scouting Portuguese defender who is ‘going to be a superstar’

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Manchester United are interested in signing Antonio Silva from Benfica in the summer transfer window, HITC understands.

Sources have told HITC that Manchester United were once again watching Benfica at the weekend.

Manchester United scouting Benfica defender Antonio Silva

United were represented at Benfica’s comfortable 4-0 success over Portimonense in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Sunday.

HITC understands that the main reason for United’s visit was to continue their checks on highly-rated central defender Antonio Silva – a player very high on the radar of the former Premier League and UEFA Champions League winners.

A new right-sided centre-half is something United are planning for, and Silva is among their most desired options alongside the likes of Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite.

Also featuring at the Estadio da Luz was midfield prospect Joao Neves – another Benfica youngster whom United have a detailed dossier on, and they will have noted his performance too.

Antonio Silva is highly rated

Antonio Silva is one of the best young defenders in Europe and is highly rated. Despite being 20 years of age, he is a regular in the Benfica first team and has also played seven times for Portugal. Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen thinks that Silva “will be a legend”.

Silva has scored two goals in 21 appearances in the Portuguese Primeira Liga for Benfica this season. He has also played four times in the UEFA Champions League and twice in the UEFA Europa League.

Last season, the defender scored three goals in 30 league games and scored twice in 10 appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher rates Silva highly and has backed him to be a superstar in the future.

In October 2022, while analysing Silva’s performance for Benfica against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, Carragher said on CBS Sports on Paramount+ (25/10/22 at 10:05 pm): “The first goal is from that young defender I have highlighted a couple of weeks ago, I told you all about him, and there he is, Antonio Silva. I mentioned his defensive prowess. But goalscoring there as well. He is going to be a superstar.”