Comments made by Wolves manager Bruno Lage about Ruben Neves would have been music to the ears of their supporters during this January transfer window.

But if you scratch a little beneath the surface, Manchester United have been offered a green light to sign a perfect Declan Rice alternative.

“Ruben is in that place where he needs a different challenge,” said Lage.

“We also want a different challenge for the club. We want to push younger guys, like Ruben, to the next level.

“He plays [trains] alongside Joao Moutinho every day. It’s the little details that count. But players such as [Cristiano] Ronaldo also have big experience. When you play with these guys, you learn.”

Suggesting that players emulate Ronaldo – one of the greatest to lace up a pair of boots – is no isolated claim.

Along with Lionel Messi, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has raised the benchmark for 15 years and will continue to serve as inspiration long after they have retired.

But the opportunity to rub shoulders, directly, is not to be missed.

There is a sense of irony that Neves – part of a heavy Portuguese contingent in the Midlands – already has Ronaldo as a teammate at international level, but could he be the one to solve a certain puzzle at Old Trafford?

Having issued a triple statement of intent by signing Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Ronaldo, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom continue their search for a top-level defensive midfielder.

Rice was thought to be target number one in that regard.

However, concerns that West Ham might dig their heels in over a valuation for the England international represent one potential stumbling block. There are others. Amadou Haidara, too, comes with an existing relationship with Ralf Rangnick but, as a would-be newcomer to the Premier League, there are simultaneous risks.

No signing comes without them. Neves, though, ticks plenty of boxes.

His price tag might raise a few eyebrows, but it will take nowhere near what it would to prise Rice away.

Already well-accustomed to the English game, this particular option is easy on the eye, comfortable in possession and, as highlighted by Wolves and their staggering defensive record, knows how to hold down the fort. How that’s been missing at Old Trafford and beyond.

With due respect to Wolves, there is no doubt Neves is ready to take that step up.

Having touched down in the UK as a teenager, the 26-cap international has dealt with pressure to perform – albeit on a lesser scale – in driving the Midlands outfit into the top-flight in 2017.

His decision alone to leave Porto that summer was an indicator of his strong will and mindset.

Ultimately, the 24-year-old has what it takes. How his ability or potential compares to Rice will only be determined by Champions League sides taking the plunge and throwing them in at the deepest end possible. United, there, also have a leg up in that they can call upon Ronaldo or Bruno Fernandes as a reference.

That should not be the only factor, it has to be said.

However, as links continue to gather pace in rumour season, comments aimed to settle any lingering nerves in the Wolves camp around Neves and his future have, actually, had quite the opposite effect.

United have the golden ticket in Ronaldo. That’s in more ways than one. With regards to Neves, nobody else would give him that reason to jump ship and fulfil his manager’s own ambition.