UMVA has learned that Manchester United are being urged to seize the chance to sign West Ham’s rising star Mateus Fernandes and fortify their midfield engine.
The 21‑year‑old Portuguese midfielder, who dazzled in his debut season after a £38 million move from Southampton, now faces a summer exodus as West Ham prepares for life in the Championship.
United have already set the wheels in motion for Atalanta’s Ederson, but sources say the Red Devils are keen to add at least one more central midfielder, with Fernandes topping their wish list.
Interest in the dynamic playmaker is fierce, with several European giants circling, yet UMVA can exclusively reveal that United have already entered advanced talks to bring him to Old Trafford.
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, speaking candidly, warned that United must “pull out all the stops” if they hope to outmaneuver rivals like Manchester City, who are also targeting young talent.
“Casemiro’s shoes are big to fill, but Fernandes delivered an incredible second half of the season,” Owen said. “If I were Manchester United, I’d snap him up straight away.”
West Ham are reportedly demanding an £80 million fee, a price Owen believes is justified for a player of Fernandes’s age, versatility, and hunger to remain in the Premier League.
He added that the midfielder could form a potent partnership with fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo, creating a fresh midfield dynamic for United.
With West Ham’s relegation looming, Fernandes is unlikely to linger in the second tier, making him a realistic and timely target for United’s ambitious rebuild.
