Manchester United eye transfer move for £38million West Ham star

Manchester United are eyeing a move for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes in the summer transfer window.

While the future 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 permanent head coach.

Regardless of who is in the dugout, strengthening in central midfield will represent a priority given the impending departure of Casemiro and United’s determination to offload Manuel Ugarte who has been a major disappointment since his move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Kobbie Mainoo has committed his future to his boyhood club, but the Red Devils want to sign at least two more midfielders to compliment 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 target to become the club’s long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes in the No.10 role.

Fernandes, meanwhile, has been added to the list of potential targets, according to the Telegraph, following his impressive form for the struggling Hammers.

The east London club’s likely relegation will force them to sell some 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 new contract last week, former United skipper Roy Keane is still not convinced he is a player the club should be looking to build their midfield around.

‘I’m still not convinced with him. I think he’s a really good young player, he’s still a kid, he’s only played 70-odd first team games,’ Keane said.

‘He’s obviously been involved in the England squad, but he still hasn’t convinced me. I hope he does [start regularly again for United] next year. I can be a harsh critic of midfield players, I was very critical of myself. I still think the kid has to do a lot more. Has he got a chance? Of course he’s got a chance. He’s still learning.

Keane questioned whether the academy graduate possesses the raw athleticism required for the modern engine room. especially during high-intensity transition moments.

‘The only problem is, when people talk about if he’s explosive enough, can you improve on that if you’re not quick off the mark?’ Keane asked.

‘The last six months will be quite good for him. For a young player at a big club, he comes on the scene and getting all the headlines, doing well and then getting involved with England.

‘The last few months, people have been talking about him going out on loan, but I always said that sometimes you have to sit and learn, watch the game and the team.’