Manchester United are eyeing up a number of summer targets and Bruno Fernandes has urged them to consider Mateus Fernandes, who could act as his eventual replacement
Bruno Fernandes remains Man Utd's leading light
Bruno Fernandes remains Man Utd's leading light(Image: Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Manchester United are eyeing a long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes - with the skipper himself recommending namesake and West Ham ace Mateus Fernandes.
The 21-year-old has excelled in a struggling Hammers outfit, who could yet suffer relegation from the Premier League. If they do go down then retaining the Portuguese star will prove a tall order and United have him on their shortlist.
Mateus is not seen as a primary target, but United could yet bring in several midfielders this summer. With Casemiro definitely leaving and Manuel Ugarte likely departing Old Trafford, there is a need for them to bolster their options in that area. Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali are among their key targets.
Mateus was called up to Portugal duty for the first time during the March internationals and, with his stock continuing to rise, United are considering him as a signing, reports The Sun.
Bruno has a contract until 2027 and remains the team's talisman, but those in Manchester know they cannot rely on the 31-year-old forever. There was notable noise surrounding a possible departure back in the summer, with Saudi Arabian sides interested, but the playmaker chose to remain.
Mateus only moved to the London Stadium back in the summer, joining for £40million from Southampton after their relegation. He's made 30 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times, and those performances are putting him on the radar of a number of clubs.
United could yet face competition from rivals Manchester City, who have their own trump card. Their new sporting director Hugo Viana, who originally brought Mateus to Sporting Lisbon and oversaw his first professional contract, is an admirer. Bernardo Silva is poised to leave when his deal expires this summer and City could consider a move themselves.
Mateus Fernandes is being eyed as a possible target
Mateus Fernandes is being eyed as a possible target(Image: Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Last summer United's bosses made an effort to go after proven Premier League performers - leading to them signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. A move for Mateus would continue that recruitment policy.
Former Southampton midfielder Jo Tessem, who saw Fernandes up close, previously told the BBC: "He is becoming an ultimate Premier League midfielder and clubs are not going to let that go. 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."
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