Manchester United are already starting summer transfer business even as Ruben Amorim attempts to win the Europa League.
The Premier League campaign has been terribly flat for Manchester United, and a bottom-half finish is on the horizon.
The Europa League has now become the top focus for Ruben Amorim, after watching United beat Lyon 5-4 in dramatic fashion last week.
United could secure Champions League football for next season, but Ineos are pressing ahead with transfer plans regardless.
United are closing in on Matheus Cunha, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers ace expected to complete a £62.5million move to Old Trafford.
Cunha could be United’s first major summer signing, but more business will be coming as United attempt to mould Amorim’s squad.
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty ImagesManchester United must look at Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes
United are in the market for goalkeepers this summer and a homegrown option may be needed with Tom Heaton expected to leave Old Trafford.
Reports suggest that United have considered a move for Aaron Ramsdale, with Southampton relegated back down to the Championship.
Ramsdale will divide opinion having now suffered three relegations from the Premier League, but the Saints have another player United should be tracking.
Midfielder Mateus Fernandes has emerged as one of few players to really excel in a difficult Southampton campaign.
The 20-year-old joined Southampton from Sporting last summer and has shown himself to be a well-rounded midfielder.
Fernandes has racked up 44 tackles, 39 successful dribbles, 30 key passes, 18 interceptions and 14 shots on target whilst playing in a number of different roles.
Southampton have deployed Fernandes as an attacking midfield, as a box-to-box midfield player and as part of a two-man central midfield in a 3-4-2-1 system – the exact approach Amorim takes at United.
Fernandes has been tabbed as an ‘ultimate Premier League midfielder’ by Saints hero Jo Tessem, whilst speaking to BBC Sport.
“He is becoming an ultimate Premier League midfielder and clubs are not going to let that go,” said Tessem.
“He plays like a Premier League player. He passes like a Premier League player. He is quick like a Premier League player. He conducts himself so well in midfield,” he added.
Versatility will be well-appreciated in this United rebuild and Fernandes has already shown the ability to make a difference in a number of different midfield roles.
Fernandes has so much room to grow at just 20 and Southampton’s relegation means the midfielder will surely fancy a Premier League return – especially if United came calling.
Ruben Amorim connection to Mateus Fernandes
United’s preference for looking at younger players will surely put Fernandes on the Old Trafford radar.
We also can’t ignore that Fernandes played under Amorim at Sporting.
Fernandes made his senior debut under Amorim in 2022 and spent time on loan at Estoril to develop his game.
Amorim reluctantly sold Fernandes to Sporting last summer, admitting to A Bola that he sacrificed the midfielder in order to keep Goncalo Inacio, Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres.
“What we lost is a player, a young man with a lot of value who, in my opinion, has the characteristics to be a great player, but where choices were made,” said Amorim.
Fernandes also raved about Amorim earlier this season, telling the Daily Echo that he can be an even better manager than Jose Mourinho.
“I think Ruben can be better than Mourinho in my opinion. He’s a very good coach. He knows the way of football,” said Fernandes.
Fernandes even admitted that he wears number 18 at Southampton because that is the number Bruno Fernandes wore upon joining United.
If given the chance to join Amorim and Bruno at Old Trafford, Fernandes would surely make the move – and he must be a talent on the radar to add more talent to United’s midfielder ranks.