Mateus Fernandes was nowhere to be seen in Tottenham’s pre-season friendly against Sydney FC in Australia.
Manchester United showed interest in Mateus Fernandes this summer but walked away from the Portuguese midfielder because Tottenham were willing to pay more.
Fernandes made an £85m move to Spurs, which was well over United’s valuation of the 21-year-old midfielder.
On his first appearance for the club, Fernandes scored a wonder goal for Tottenham, but social media was sent into a frenzy when he was nowhere to be seen in their pre-season friendly against Sydney FC.
Auckland FC v Tottenham Hotspur - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images
Who will end up having the better season Andrey Santos or Mateus Fernandes, and why?
Have Manchester United got the better deal this summer?👀
Andrey Santos Mateus Fernandes stats side by side.
Getty Images. Data via Squawka.
Mateus Fernandes injury update after ACL rumours
On social media, rumours were swirling that Fernandes had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training.
However, The Standard have cleared up what has actually happened to Tottenham’s big-money signing.
They claim that Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi decided to leave Fernandes out of the pre-season match to manage his workload.
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A training video posted by Tottenham showed Fernandes not taking part in the session and instead standing on the sidelines watching his teammates.
United-linked Sandro Tonali was named on the bench for the friendly, with Tottenham drawing 1-1 with Sydney FC.
Mateus Fernandes is set to join Tottenham for £85m: What is your INSTANT REACTION?
WHO do you want Man Utd to sign instead?
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Mateus Fernandes workload may have been a Man Utd concern
Fernandes has suffered back-to-back relegations in the Premier League and in those two seasons his workload was intense.
READ MORE: The ‘smartest’ part of Ineos’ decision not to sign Mateus Fernandes for £85m has finally emerged for Man Utd fans
2025/26 – 3,511 minutes
2024/25 – 3,409 minutes
Fernandes has a squeaky-clean injury record, but there is no doubt that he is playing a lot of minutes at a young age.
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