Manchester United are keeping track of several players at the World Cup. One is Matias Fernandez-Pardo.
Ahead of the World Cup kicking off, Manchester United were claimed to be monitoring Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, reported La Gazzetta dello Sport.
It’s always tricky when transfer targets head to major tournaments, as we saw with Ayyoub Bouaddi’s sensational performance for Morocco against Brazil.
With regard to Bouaddi, the secret is out. He put himself of the radar of every top team in Europe if he wasn’t already, and Rennes’ ability to command a huge price tag just went up.
Fernandez-Pardo’s World Cup debut was the total opposite.
Belgium only brought him off the bench for the final five minutes of their 1-1 draw with Egypt in their World Cup opener. He only managed four touches.
But this isn’t a bad thing. It actually helps United if the transfer targets don’t play at the World Cup, and as it prevents their price tag shooting up.
It can even be better if they don’t get picked for the squad at all. It’s one of the reasons Mateus Fernandes is a player United will want to sign with some urgency, as he can join for pre-season right away.
For now, Fernandez-Pardo will remain a secret to the masses, and that might be the way Manchester United’s scouting team prefer it.
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Fernandez-Pardo’s 2025/26
Matias Fernandez-Pardo is only 21 and has just enjoyed the best season of his career so far for Lille.
He scored eight goals in Ligue 1, finishing as their joint-top scorer, while also providing five assists.
The left winger is under contract at Lille until 2029, and he is certainly an intriguing player who might be available at the right price for Manchester United.
But the moment his price starts shooting up into the £40-50 million range, he becomes an unproven gamble for the Red Devils.
So his lack of minutes for Belgium might just be a good thing.
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