Manchester United’s shortlist of midfield targets right now appears solely Premier League based, and now we can add Mateus Fernandes to the names getting linked.
Even with Manchester United’s midfield recruitment plan narrowed to the Premier League, there are potentially seven midfielders who could be signed. The most recent addition is West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes.
It comes according to talkSPORT that United have interest in signing Fernandes this summer, as he could be available cheap should West Ham end up relegated.
Fernandes could be a shrewd signing by United, adding real quality to a midfield set for rebuild. But how does he compare as a player to top target Elliot Anderson and departing Casemiro?
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Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Yan Diomande in graphic.
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Mateus Fernandes pointing in West Ham kit.
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How Mateus Fernandes compares with Elliot Anderson and Casemiro
This summer, United are likely to sign more than one first-team midfielder with Casemiro already announcing his exit, and could be followed by Manuel Ugarte.
United have made Anderson priority one, but that still leaves the question of who else should be signed to bolster the midfield.
In this, Mateus Fernandes would be an excellent option as he would be replacing Casemiro, and likely a rotational option to Kobbie Mainoo and Anderson.
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When comparing Fernandes with Casemiro and Anderson, it is clear his quality in a poor West Ham side, while also being similar stylistically to the Forest midfielder.
Statistic (Percentile) Casemiro Anderson M. Fernandes
Goals 5 (94th) 1 (41st) 3 (83rd)
Assists 2 (59th) 2 (59th) 3 (79th)
Passing % 81% (17th) 86% (57th) 88% (74th)
Long passing % 52% (52nd) 58% (67th) 63% (83rd)
Chances created 26 (85th) 41 (94th) 28 (90th)
Dribbles % 60% (73rd) 55% (66th) 63% (78th)
Duels won % 52nd (54th) 56% (71st) 57% (76th)
Aerial duels % 46% (44th) 59% (76th) 56% (71st)
Tackles 65 (91st) 79 (95th) 74 (93rd)
Interceptions 20 (66th) 32 (92nd) 27 (84th)
Recoveries 108 (78th) 237 (100th) 137 (92nd)
Possession won final third 7 (63rd) 18 (97th) 14 (93rd)
What we can gauge from this comparison is that Fernandes is an improvement on Casemiro in every quantifiable way barring his goals and leadership.
Compared to Anderson, Fernandes is better on the ball, both with his passing and ball carrying in midfield. However, Anderson has more impressive stats defensively, although it is actually closer than you would think, with the two teams being similar positions in the league and both worked under Nuno Espirito Santo.
United signing Fernandes for a hypothetical £40m to come in and offer depth for both midfield roles and even the number 10 is excellent value and the kind of signing that builds a title winning side.
Fernandes can do everything in midfield and could be used in numerous roles and systems. Just an altogether excellent player.
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Adam Wharton playing against Albania for England.
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Fernandes is perfect complimentary signing for Manchester United
It feels pretty pre-determined that United will go all out for Anderson as the number one midfield target this summer, but following his arrival, Ineos need to build a department.
There might be promotions from the academy with Jim Thwaites particularly deserving of the opportunity to elevate his game.
But Fernandes being signed with Anderson gives Michael Carrick, or whoever is in charge, three top class midfielders to filter between in different competitions.
Then, United could add another midfielder like Christos Mouzakitis, with no pressure on a young, non-Premier League signing to succeed immediately.
United’s midfield department for the 2026/27 season will be very different to now, hopefully Fernandes is part of it.
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