Manchester United dey plan big shake-up for their midfield this summer, and captain Bruno Fernandes don already drop name for who fit replace am. According to reports wey dey fly upandan, Fernandes don recommend West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes as him long-term successor for Old Trafford.
The Red Devils go need to sign at least two central midfielders before next season start. Casemiro don confirm say him dey go, and Manuel Ugarte too dey likely to follow am comot. So United scouts dey work overtime to find quality replacements.
For now, United main targets na Elliot Anderson from Newcastle, Sandro Tonali wey dey play for Newcastle too, and Adam Wharton. But if dem miss Anderson—especially if Manchester City snap am—United go quickly rush for Tonali as top alternative.
Former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown yarn say, “Elliot Anderson na the main one there, he’s the one they really want but there’s interest from Man City as well so it might be difficult. But if they miss out on Anderson, Tonali is the one I’ve heard mentioned the most.”
But for the long run, Bruno Fernandes don point to Mateus Fernandes as the person wey fit take over from am. The West Ham midfielder, wey be 21 years, don show say him get talent even though West Ham dey struggle this season. The Hammers dey risk relegation to Championship with just seven matches remain.
Mateus Fernandes talk say Bruno Fernandes na him idol. “Back when I was at Sporting, I looked up to him and tried to learn from him. He plays in the same league as me, he has a lot of experience with the national team, and, in the Premier League, I try to watch him a lot. Without a doubt, he stands out,” the young star confess.
If West Ham eventually go down, dem go likely sell Mateus for cut-price. The club don already record club-record losses of £104 million, so balancing books go mean key players go comot. Mateus Fernandes join West Ham last summer for £40 million from Southampton after dem relegation.
United no be the only club wey dey watch Mateus. Manchester City dey also consider am as potential replacement for Bernardo Silva, wey dey likely to leave this summer. City get small advantage because their new sporting director Hugo Viana na the person wey give Mateus him first professional contract at Sporting Lisbon.
For Bruno Fernandes side, him contract dey until 2027, and Ineos—under Sir Jim Ratcliffe—desperately want keep am to build team wey fit challenge for Premier League title by 2028. Last summer, Saudi Pro League offer £100 million for Fernandes, but him choose stay.
Still, United know say dem no fit depend on Bruno forever. So even if dem no sign Mateus this summer, dem dey keep am for radar. The young Fernandes don play all West Ham Premier League matches this season, score three goals and provide three assists from midfield.
Former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem, wey observe Mateus well, talk say, “He is becoming an ultimate Premier League midfielder and clubs are not going to let that go. He plays like a Premier League player. He passes like a Premier League player. He is quick like a Premier League player. He conducts himself so well in midfield.”
United transfer strategy under Ineos dey focus on signing established Premier League performers. Last summer, dem sign Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Mateus Fernandes fit that pattern well well.
So as season dey wind down, United dey plan double midfield move: one immediate replacement for Casemiro, and one long-term plan for when Bruno Fernandes eventually go. Whether na Anderson, Tonali, Wharton, or even Mateus Fernandes, United midfield go look different come August.
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