Mateus Fernandes has made a frustratingly brilliant start at Tottenham after being linked to Manchester United this summer.
When Manchester United missed out on Elliot Anderson, it seemed all focus turned to Mateus Fernandes as the next midfield target.
But Tottenham paid £85m for Fernandes, far more than United were willing to offer for the West Ham star.
Snubbing Fernandes was a smart decision from a financial point of view, but it will hurt United if the Portuguese midfielder turns into a superstar in North London.
Who will end up having the better season Andrey Santos or Mateus Fernandes, and why?
Have Manchester United got the better deal this summer?👀
Mateus Fernandes scores incredible volley on Tottenham debut
Fernandes made his first Tottenham appearance in a pre-season friendly against MK Dons this week.
While United fans were disappointed by Sandro Tonali, Fernandes stole the show by scoring a thunderous volley from the edge of the box.
It was a very impressive strike, and deserving of praise, but immediately, the narrative has shifted and fans think United will have major regrets about not paying up for Fernandes.
That is not the case. At least not yet, anyway.
Fernandes only scored four goals across his West Ham career. He also only scored four for Southampton. He is not a consistent goalscorer from midfield, and regardless, that is not what United needed this summer anyway.
Fernandes’ strengths are his duel-winning and his passing from midfield. United accepted defeat in the Fernandes saga but then went and signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
FACT: Youri Tielemans is the best value signing any Premier League club will make all summer!
We challenge you to disagree! How would you rate this deal out of 10?
Michael Carrick wanted strong passers, tempo controllers and technicians in his midfield, and that is exactly what he has got in Santos and Tielemans.
It must be said that United fans were happy to miss out on Fernandes once it became clear how much Tottenham were paying.
Instead of getting tied up thinking about what could have been, United should be celebrating the smart business being done by Ineos this summer. Another midfielder signing is still due at Old Trafford.
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