Manchester United hold talks to sign £80m English star

Manchester United have not enjoyed the fast-paced start to the summer transfer window that fans might have hoped for, but it is clear that INEOS are moving away from the splurges that have led to poor results over the years.

There is still much work to do, but United are in a good position under manager Michael Carrick, with the former midfielder qualifying for the Champions League against all odds last season.

If United can match the level they produced under Carrick throughout the second half of the 2025/26 season, there is nothing to suggest they cannot challenge for the Premier League title. Manchester City have just parted ways with manager Josep Guardiola, Liverpool are in a period of transition and Arsenal face a new battle to defend their title.

However, even if a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is finalized, it is clear that the Red Devils still need new pieces, particularly in midfield.

Ederson will add flesh to Carrick’s Manchester United midfield, which has been stripped of the experience and quality of Casemiro, who left on a free transfer.

It was a fitting time for the Brazilian veteran to leave, but United need to sign another midfielder to complement and rival Ederson.

It was hoped that United would sign Matheus Fernandes, but instead the Portuguese prospect left West Ham United and signed for Tottenham Hotspur for £85 million.

While this is difficult to accept, INEOS have already licked their wounds and moved on, eyeing a possible upgrade for the 21-year-old. Chelsea’s Andrej Santos is a surprise transfer target, but he is not the only established player in the Premier League to be on the lookout for.

Bournemouth have been in “direct contact” with Manchester United in recent days, with the Red Devils hoping to sign Alex Scott for the new season, according to transfer correspondent Nizar Kinsella.

Arsenal and Manchester City have also made approaches, with Cherries insisting the Scot is not for sale but hoping to tie him to a new deal that could fetch them an £80m cash bid.

The 22-year-old Scot is developing into one of the Premier League’s most exciting midfielders. Missing out on Fernandes was certainly a blow, but Carrick could overcome if they get Scott in his place.

Why Scott is better than Fernandes at Manchester United

Scott has developed into a formidable midfielder for Bournemouth, helping to strengthen the system vacated by Andoni Iraola. The Cherries qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, and Scott’s influence has seen Cherries team-mate Lewis Cook praise him as a “special talent”.

There is little to distinguish Scott from Fernandez. Both have their own strengths and quirks in the middle of the park, but the important point is that these young, athletic midfielders will add the dimension missing at Old Trafford.

In fact, while Scott may lack a bit of Fernandes’ combativeness, he is definitely more intelligent and more dynamic when he has the ball and moves the play forward.

One United-focused content creator even claimed he looked like “Prime (Roy) Keane” last season, so it’s fair to say he has the defensive skillset to succeed at the Theater of Dreams.

Curiously, Premier League midfielders have a lot in common, and although Scott is a little less powerful, he has the skills United need to win silver.

If Carrick acquires a midfield prospect like Keane, he could well end up playing a key role in the next phase at Old Trafford.

Judging by his performances in recent years for Bournemouth, Scott has the potential to become a superstar, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and perhaps Europe.