Benfica midfielder won't settle for scraps, asks Marco Silva for time | OneFootball

Manu Silva wants to turn things around at Benfica and is determined to earn more minutes under Marco Silva. The defensive midfielder has been called up regularly, but he still has no real place in the team at the start of the season.

His spell at the Club of Light actually began in the worst possible way. Signed from Vitória in January 2025 for €12 million, the number 16 suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in just his third appearance for Benfica.

The injury forced him into a long spell on the sidelines and ended up affecting his 2025/26 season, delaying his breakthrough. Now recovered and in good physical condition, he even had some prominence at the start of this season. He started against St. Gallen in the first official match and was also in the lineup against Hearts, while also featuring against Casa Pia. Since Marco Silva’s arrival, he has played four matches and 222 minutes, but he has not taken the field since August 17.

Although he continues to be called up, Manu Silva knows he has a difficult battle ahead. João Palhinha arrived at Benfica with the goal of claiming a starting spot, and Enzo Barrenechea also made a good impression before getting injured. The competition has intensified, and the 25-year-old midfielder will now have to make the most of every opportunity to change the pecking order.

Palhinha’s absence, after recently being away on international duty with the national team, allowed Manu Silva - who was wanted by Bruno Lage - to remain at Seixal and work directly with the coaching staff. The player is focused on regaining ground and increasing his playing time, in something of a personal challenge to show that he can be more than just a secondary option.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.