Bernardo Silva plans to 'pull some strings' to get 19-year-old Portuguese team-mate to join Man City over Man Utd

Bernardo Silva is planning to 'pull some strings' to get a Benfica wonderkid to join Man City instead of Man United. 

The 19-year-old midfielder has become a key component of Roger Schmidt's midfield since Enzo Fernandez made his £105million move to Chelsea.

Man United have reportedly kept tabs on the youngster on a number of occasions and were impressed by the teenager's performance in Benfica's 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon recently. 

However, City's Silva, 29, is keen to use his influence on his Portuguese team-mate to get him at the club.

'I am very happy for João and other kids who are appearing in Benfica’s team and also in the national team,' he said during an appearance at a gala event in Lisbon. 

 ‘Joao Neves in the Premier League? I think that players with quality can play in any championship. I see him very focused on his club, which is the most important thing at the moment, a very young player but with a very promising future ahead of him.

‘He arrived at the national team, settled in and integrated very well. He’s another one to help, if the coach thinks so, to help us help win the European Championship.

‘For City instead of United? If I can, I will pull strings to Joao Neves to go to Man City. I’d like to see João joining City instead of Man United, of course.’

The reigning Premier League champions are said to be convinced by the potential of Joao Neves.

But, with Man United's captain Bruno Fernandes said to be gunning for the youngster as well, we may have a bidding war on our hands between the Manchester sides.