Mateus Fernandes could help Ineos kill two birds with one stone as part of a long-term project that Manchester United could commit to around the West Ham star.
The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder is away at the 2026 World Cup with Portugal, but Mateus Fernandes’ club future remains at the forefront this summer.
West Ham face a huge challenge in keeping Fernandes at the London Stadium after the Hammers were relegated on the final day of the Premier League season in May.
Manchester United are one of the clubs interested in Fernandes, while Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are also keeping close tabs on the Hammers star’s future.
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Mateus Fernandes’ midfield position could be tweaked at Man Utd as part of a bigger vision for the West Ham star
Manchester United are in need of a major midfield rebuild this summer, with West Ham star Mateus Fernandes identified as a potential target for the Red Devils.
Fernandes would be positioned to play in the two-man midfield pivot of Michael Carrick’s Man Utd tactics alongside England star Kobbie Mainoo next season.
Atalanta’s Ederson is expected to arrive at Old Trafford as part of Ineos’ summer spending spree, while Casemiro will leave the Red Devils at the end of the month.
Fernandes’ long-term development could offer Man Utd the opportunity to explore his role as a No 10, which isn’t out of the Portuguese’s wheelhouse as a midfielder.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former interim Southampton boss Simon Rusk said: “He [Fernandes] was used as a little bit more as a No 10, a little bit more of an advanced role.
“But when I spoke to Matty through conversations with him, quite apparently, he saw himself as more of an all-round midfield player, more of a No 8.
“And that would lend himself to the defensive side of the game. What Matty wanted to do, he wanted to run. He wanted to be involved in the game as much as possible.
“But certainly, looking at his performances at West Ham this year, he certainly moved forward in terms of his game intelligence and mixed in with his strength, his tenacity and his engine.”
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Mateus Fernandes’ functionality as a No 10 could offer support for an absent Bruno Fernandes at Man Utd
There is no denying that nobody is coming close to dethroning Bruno Fernandes from the No 10 role at Man Utd under Red Devils manager Michael Carrick.
However, there are already concerns about who could play in the No 10 position if Bruno Fernandes were out of action due to a rare injury or even a suspension.
The 31-year-old Man Utd captain is not getting any younger either, despite the Red Devils’ desire to keep him at Old Trafford for the long term.
Bruno’s Portugal teammate could become the perfect ‘project’ for Ineos to develop a talented player like Mateus in a way where he can switch between two roles.
When Bruno does leave, then it would mean that Mateus would be prepared to fill the immediate absence in the short term — all the while Ineos looked for a replacement.
That’s not to mention that United legend Carrick could use an immediate option to alternate with Bruno in the short term amid Mateus’ development in the role.
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