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By JAMES COHEN Published: 19: 00 AEDT, 1 April 2025 | Updated: 19: 01 AEDT, 1 April 2025 1 View comments Former Man United star Nani has claimed the club missed out on an 'unbelievable' player in Geovany Quenda, who has since sealed a move to Chelsea. Earlier this month, Chelsea completed the signings of Sporting Lisbon youngsters Quenda and Dario Essugo in a £62. 4m deal - with Quenda's move costing £43. 7m. Man United had been exploring a deal for Quenda, who turns 18 in April and previously played under their now head coach Ruben Amorim at Sporting. However, the Red Devils did not act swiftly enough and the talented teen has since sealed a move to United's rivals Chelsea. Now, former Red Devils winger Nani has offered his thoughts on the situation and insisted that Man United have missed out on a 'fantastic' player. In an interview with A Bola, he said: 'There is a kid at Sporting, Quenda, who is 17 years old and he is unbelievable. Man United had been strongly linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon star Geovany Quenda Ruben Amorim worked with Quenda at Lisbon - but the player has since joined Chelsea 'He has energy, he has speed, he can improve his physical ability, but he is a very intelligent player. Very mature. 'He knows how to play as part of a team, when he should calm down and speed up the game. 'Of course he can improve his finishing and be more consistent, because he also shoots very well, knows how to dribble, he’s skinny, but he’s a fantastic player and has the right attitude'. Nani was then specifically asked whether he felt as though United have missed out by not signing Quenda. He replied: 'I think so. There are no players like him at 17. Why did Chelsea sign him? Because they know that. 'It’s difficult to have this type of player who is aggressive with the ball, taking the game forward and creating danger in the box. 'And when he sees that there is no space to take risks, he knows how to calm down and play with the team. He really is a fantastic player'. After spending time in rivals' Benfica's youth academy, Quenda joined Sporting in 2019 at the age of 13. The 17-year-old is part of a double deal between Chelsea and Sporting worth £62. 4m Former Man United star Nani insisted that the club have missed out on a 'fantastic' player Amorim immediately earmarked Quenda for his potential, and he became the youngest player ever to represent Sporting's reserve team at the age of 16. At the start of the current campaign Quenda was integrated into Sporting's first-team, with Amorim raving about his performance at right wing-back after impressing in a pre-season friendly. 'He's very talented, very mature and understands the game like an adult, ' Amorim told Sporting TV in July. 'He obviously has a lot to improve on, but I think he had an excellent game and we have a player there. ' In total, Quenda has made 45 appearances and recorded three goals and six assists in that time.
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