5 reasons why Neymar should join Manchester United and not Real Madrid

Neymar is perhaps the most actively named player in the transfer rumour mill for this summer. Despite the fact that there is a World Cup to play for, all the talk is about how and why he should leave Paris Saint-Germain for a better team.

At the moment, two teams seem to have the most interest in him: Manchester United and Real Madrid. While the chances of the Brazilian joining the Galacticos look better and better by the day, he should still snub any such move and join Man United instead.

Here are five reasons why he should do that.

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#5 Respect for Barcelona

FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg

Neymar played for Barcelona for four years. It was fate that made him play for the Blaugranas, as he has been a Los Blancos supporter since his childhood. Nevertheless, the fact that he played for Barcelona means that he shouldn’t join their biggest rival out of respect for the Catalans.

Indeed, Lionel Messi has informed him just that– indicating that Real Madrid are perhaps pressing for him.

"It would be terrible because of everything that Ney means to Barcelona," Messi told TyC Sports.

"If he ends up in Madrid it would be a tough blow for us and for all of Barcelona. And on a football level, it would make Madrid much stronger than they already are."

A move to Manchester United, however, wouldn’t hurt anyone at Barcelona.

#4 Avoiding the hatred

Luis Figo of Real Madrid is bombarded by missiles

Apropos to the point made earlier, should he join Real Madrid, he will face a backlash of Barcelona fans, almost like what Luis Figo faced when he made a move across the divide.

While Figo’s blow was harder to bear because it happened so suddenly, Neymar has exuded a feeling that has perhaps prepared the Cules to see him in a Real Madrid jersey.

No matter how much they prepare themselves, though, the loathing will be there and it would become very difficult for Neymar to continue living a normal life with all of that on his head.

This is a man who cried in front of the media during a press-conference for Brazil because of French media’s excess pressure on him following his move to PSG.

If he joins Manchester United, he avoids the hate of Barcelona fans – who already dislike him for the way he left – and could redeem some respect by opting to go to United when he had the option to sign for Real Madrid.

#3 Trying out a new league

Neymar could lift the PL with Mourinho

He has already played in La Liga for four years at Barcelona. This season, he played in the French Ligue 1 with PSG and it was apparent that the league is way below his level of genius as he scored and assisted for fun.

When, however, he took on Real Madrid, it was a real test for him – but he failed. One can’t put the entire blame on him because, throughout the season, he had played against teams that were far too inferior to PSG.

Heck, his opponents were even below the mid and lower table teams of Spain. So playing in such a league can actually harm him given that performing at even 70 to 80 percent of his ability is enough to raise hell against the opposing teams in Ligue 1.

Also, when a player continues playing at 70 to 80 percent continuously, his level automatically drops. For this reason, he has to leave Ligue 1 but since he has already played in La Liga, trying out a new league would be better.

So, between Real Madrid and Manchester United, which club offers him the chance to play in the Premier League? Imaginary brownie points for guessing.

#2 A certain big fish

A bigger fish than Pogba

Joining Manchester United will undoubtedly make him the biggest fish in the pool. While Paul Pogba is there with his fancy haircuts and annoying dabs – and his big-money price-tag – he is not anywhere near the level of Neymar at this point of time, at least.

Having won every possible trophy with Barcelona – save the European Super Cup – and having been in the top three in the Ballon D’or category two times, Neymar will be the undisputed star at Old Trafford.

At Real Madrid, however, he will once again have to move into the shadow of another great player: Cristiano Ronaldo. The reason why Neymar moved to PSG in the first place was to get out of Lionel Messi’s shade, so going to the Bernabeu would render his initial intention (or excuse) pointless.

Yes, the Portuguese is 33 and will fade eventually, but going by how he has proven his detractors wrong time and time again, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that the Portugal captain still has two years left in him.

And that is quite a long time.

#1 United need him more

The Red Devils need him

Let’s look at facts now. Manchester United haven’t won the league since 2012-13 – which is five years ago now. They have had four managers – including Ryan Giggs – since then but could still not touch the trophy again.

Then there is the Champions League. The Red Devils haven’t won the holy grail of club football for a decade now. Their last Champions League triumph was precisely ten seasons ago and they had a star player on that team: Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, might not have won the league many times this decade but have won the Champions League three times in the last four seasons and are in the final of the competition once again this season.

It is safe to claim then that Manchester United need him more than Real Madrid – and it is always wise to join the club that needs you more because they are, in most cases, bound to value you more.