Manchester United want Mateus Fernandes from West Ham

Manchester United have set their sights on West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, with the Telegraph reporting that the Red Devils have expressed serious interest in the 21-year-old Portuguese starlet ahead of next summer’s transfer window.

From Southampton Struggles to London Stadium Stardom

Fernandes arrived in England from Sporting CP in the summer of 2024, and despite enduring relegation with Southampton in his debut season, his quality was undeniable. West Ham snapped him up last summer, and he’s repaid their faith handsomely — racking up nine goal contributions across 39 appearances while becoming one of the most talked-about young midfielders in the Premier League.

His form was rewarded with a senior Portugal debut in March, coming off the back of a 2-0 win over the United States.

The Numbers That Are Turning Heads

The stats tell a compelling story. Fernandes boasts an 87.6% pass success rate and 59.1% successful dribble rate, while defensively he’s a powerhouse — averaging 5.98 tackles, 5.46 ball recoveries, and a staggering 10.95 defensive contributions per game.

United’s Midfield Rebuild Calls for Fernandes

With Casemiro heading for the exit and Manu Ugarte failing to convince, United desperately need midfield reinforcements. Fernandes fits the profile perfectly.

The catch? West Ham will demand well above his £30m Transfermarkt valuation, and with four years remaining on his contract, they hold all the cards — especially if they beat the drop.