This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to The Athletic, Manchester United pulled the plug on a potential swoop for Neymar because of concerns over his 'party lifestyle'.

What's the word?

The Brazil superstar was the subject of intense transfer speculation in the summer window, with reports claiming he was desperate to leave PSG. La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid were regularly linked with a potential move for the forward, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the deadline.

Now, The Athletic's Daniel Taylor has suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side had Neymar on their radar because he is a "genuine, category A-superstar", but decided against making an official move due to concerns from within the club about the kind of negative influence he can be.

The indoor football skills in the video below have to be seen to be believed...

Taylor said: "At Old Trafford, however, they tell a joke that offers an insight into the club’s thinking. 'If you have one Brazilian, you have one Brazilian,' it goes.'If you have two Brazilians, you have two Brazilians. And if you have three, you have a samba party.' In Neymar’s case, United think it would be him pouring the caipirinhas."

Worth the risk

Hearing that the Red Devils had private concerns over Neymar's personality and off-the-pitch activities is somewhat understandable. The club are in the midst of rooting out players who don't appear to fit this new ethos under Solskjaer, with the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku already given their marching orders this summer.

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But Neymar has time and time again proven his footballing abilities more than outweighs however he conducts himself away from the football field. The Brazilian has regularly been seen as a potential Ballon d'Or winner after the careers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo end - Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon even name-checked the 27-year-old as a future recipient of the prestigious award.

His purchase would have been a huge coup for a United side desperately short of attacking magic. He would have undoubtedly lifted spirits at Old Trafford, and showed his capabilities last season by racking up 23 goals and providing a further 13 assists in just 28 games. The Red Devils could really have done with a superstar like Neymar, who would have revitalised the atmosphere currently surrounding the club.