- Man Utd want to sign Mateus Fernandes
- Read West Ham’s Matt Bottomley analysis
- “He’s no Declan Rice”
Manchester United are reportedly looking to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes this summer. The Reds are set for a major overhaul in the middle of the park and the Portuguese star is one of many targets.
Reports claim that West Ham is likely to sell Fernandes this summer, even if they stay in the Premier League. The Hammers’ financial situation requires them to raise £100m and selling the 21-year-old is a real possibility.
The Red Devils were keen on signing Fernandes before he joined the East London outfit from Southampton last summer. Who better to hear from regarding the player and his qualities than a supporter who has watched him throughout the season?
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West Ham fan verdict on Man Utd signing Fernandes
United ideally would be signing Declan Rice as Casemiro’s replacement this summer but that’s not possible. The English midfielder joined Arsenal from West Ham in the summer of 2023 for £105m.
You could argue that Fernandes is the best midfielder to play at the London Stadium since Rice. But any fan dreaming of him becoming the Reds’ answer to the Gunners man should think again.
Read West Ham‘s Matt Bottomley has told Read Man Utd what the Portugal international could bring to Old Trafford:
“Mateus Fernandes is different to Declan Rice in the way that his first thought is to get the ball forward, and whilst both can carry the ball very well, Rice is significantly better defensively. Fernandes leaves gaps, which is a signal of his age more than anything else.”
He suggested that Fernandes might not be the ideal Kobbie Mainoo partner, given his lack of defensive prowess:
“Should Fernandes join United, it will be all about support. He’s played his best games with Tomas Soucek next to him, doing more of the defensive role and allowing Fernandes to create. If United can trust Kobbie Mainoo to be that player, then Fernandes can flourish, but he is still so rough around the edges.”
The Portuguese has previously hailed United’s Bruno Fernandes as his idol. That’s who Bottomley feels could be an excellent mentor for the Hammers talent:
“Bruno Fernandes would be a good guide to him but he will need the support in midfield to be at that level. It’s all about support, give him that, then absolutely his ceiling can be that of Rice’s.”
Fernandes has made 41 appearances across competitions this season, posting five goals and four assists. He joined West Ham from Southampton for £42m and there is an expectation that the club will demand around £60-70m.
A clear need for a defensive profile
Fernandes isn’t the only midfielder that INEOS are looking to bring to United this summer. He also sits in the second ranking on their shortlist with their desired Casemiro heir the top priority.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni fall into that category. Both will likely incur astronomical fees but are worth it to address the Brazilian’s exit.
Another option is Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba despite his dissapointing season. The Cameroonian is the most likely defensive-midfield signing, given he’s keen on the move and the club already approached the Seagulls last summer.
