Manchester United are eyeing a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summertime transfer window.
While the long run of Michael Carrick is yet to be resolved, United are already pressing ahead with their recruitment plans despite no decision yet having been made on their next everlasting head coach.
No matter who’s within the dugout, strengthening in central midfield will represent a priority given the upcoming departure of Casemiro and United’s determination to dump Manuel Ugarte who has been a serious disappointment since his move from Paris Saint-Germain.
Kobbie Mainoo has committed his future to his boyhood club, however the Red Devils wish to sign at the very least two more midfielders to go with their current options.
The likes of Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Adam Scott are all on United’s radar, while Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers has also emerged as a goal to turn into the club’s long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes within the No.10 role.
Fernandes, meanwhile, has been added to the list of potential targets, in response to the Telegraph, following his impressive form for the struggling Hammers.
The east London club’s likely relegation will force them to sell a few of their prize assets, including Fernandes who moved to the London Stadium from Southampton in a £38million deal last summer.
Despite Manioo’s improvement, which culminated in a brand new contract last week, former United skipper Roy Keane remains to be not convinced he’s a player the club must be trying to construct their midfield around.
‘I’m still not convinced with him. I believe he’s a very good young player, he’s still a child, he’s only played 70-odd first team games,’ Keane said.
‘He’s obviously been involved within the England squad, but he still hasn’t convinced me. I hope he does [start regularly again for United] next 12 months. I could be a harsh critic of midfield players, I used to be very critical of myself. I still think the child has to do rather a lot more. Has he got a likelihood? After all he’s got a likelihood. He’s still learning.
Keane questioned whether the academy graduate possesses the raw athleticism required for the fashionable engine room. especially during high-intensity transition moments.
‘The one problem is, when people discuss if he’s explosive enough, are you able to improve on that in case you’re not quick off the mark?’ Keane asked.
‘The last six months can be quite good for him. For a young player at a giant club, he comes on the scene and getting all of the headlines, doing well after which getting involved with England.
‘The previous few months, people have been talking about him going out on loan, but I at all times said that sometimes you could have to sit down and learn, watch the sport and the team.’
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