Marco Silva blocks Benfica reserve's exit, wants to revive star at Luz | OneFootball

Manu Silva is preparing to begin a new chapter at Benfica. After a season marked by limited playing time, the 25-year-old midfielder is in Marco Silva’s plans for 2026/27 and will have the opportunity to show the potential that led the Eagles to sign him from Vitória de Guimarães.

The Portuguese holding midfielder arrived at Luz in January 2025 in a deal worth €12 million, plus €2 million in add-ons. However, just a few matches after joining the club, he suffered a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, in the same game against Moreirense in which Alexander Bah suffered a similar injury.

After 290 days of recovery, Manu Silva returned to the pitch in the closing stages of last season. Even so, he featured in only 12 matches, three of them as a starter, never managing to earn a regular place in José Mourinho’s plans.

Now, the situation is different. Marco Silva believes in the midfielder’s qualities and sees him as a useful player because of his versatility. Manu can play as a defensive midfielder, a number 8, and even as a centre-back, traits that expand the range of options for the Benfica coach.

With the future of some midfielders still uncertain, such as Richard Ríos or Enzo Barrenechea, Manu Silva has been given a new lease of life in Benfica’s squad. After the bad luck that stalled his breakthrough, the Benfica midfielder is preparing to start again from scratch and fight for an important place in the club’s new cycle.

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