Manchester United are currently in discussions over a summer move with West Ham United’s Matheus Fernandes, who is “expected” to leave the London club this summer.
Manchester United discuss Fernandes transfer
It’s no secret that Manchester United are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer. With Casemiro heading for the exit and Manuel Ugarte likely to follow, INEOS is ready to deliver a much-needed upgrade in the middle of the park.
As a result, some names threaten to steal the headlines, and Fernandes is the latest to do just that. According to Jason Burt of the Telegraph, Manchester United are in discussions to sign Fernandes, who is “expected to leave” West Ham this summer if they are relegated from the Premier League.
The deal won’t come cheap, with previous reports suggesting it could cost £55m to lure him away from east London.
This is not the first time a Premier League club has brought in an impressive star player from a relegated team, and for Man United it will just be a continuation of their recruitment strategy.
Just last summer, INEOS brought in mid-career stars like Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, keeping things local. Twelve months on, it’s Fernandes who has captured their attention.
The Portuguese midfielder certainly deserves such attention. He has clearly stood out for West Ham throughout the season and has received a lot of praise from Nuno Espirito Santo as a result.
The West Ham manager told reporters he believed Fernandes had “something special” at the start of the season and he has since been proven right.
PL 25/26 P90 | Matthew Fernandez | Coby Mainu |
|---|---|---|
minutes | 2,754 | 1,383 |
Pass accuracy | 87.6% | 89.5% |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.05 | 1.17 |
tackle | 3.04 | 2.21 |
collect | 5.46 | 5.21 |
On paper, the partnership between Fernandes and Koby Mainu could work wonders. The Carrington School graduate creates more chances per game than the West Ham player, but his potential arrival could help cover any weaknesses in the tackle.
Fernandes would also be a viable option as a cheap replacement for Sandro Tonali. West Ham are in no position to negotiate if they are relegated, allowing Man United to rise quickly. On the other hand, Newcastle could hold on by paying a hefty transfer fee like they did with Alexander Isak last summer.
Cunha: ‘Carrick deserves to stay at Manchester United’
Although the focus has recently shifted to the transfer market, Michael Carrick won’t soon forget the win over Liverpool. That may have been enough to earn the caretaker manager a permanent spot at Old Trafford, and as far as Matheus Cunha is concerned, he has earned his place in the dugout.
“I don’t think it’s in my hands. But what he’s done is he’s got a lot of confidence in the group and, you know, I’ve been sitting on the bench with him too, and the way he teaches everyone is amazing.”
“I think he had a magic thing about this kind of thing, like the Ferguson years. Then he came to us and told us what it was like. And, yeah, it’s a pleasure to be a part of everything he’s done, and of course I think he deserves it.”
It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian will get his wish, but there is no denying that Carrick has done a great job since joining on an interim basis.
Read next: 4-2-3-1 manager reveals Manchester United’s favorite signing
Great news for Mainu: the 4-2-3-1 manager is clearly Manchester United’s frontrunner
Manchester United may have made a decision on their new permanent manager.
