Sport Industry Awards 2026 - Arrivals - Source: Getty
Sport Industry Awards 2026 - Arrivals - Source: Getty
Jamie Carragher has named Mateus Fernandes as the one player Manchester United should have signed in the summer, days after the midfielder dictated Tottenham's 2-0 win at Chelsea.
Fernandes, 22, made his fourth Premier League start of the season at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (October 24), playing the deeper role he prefers alongside Sandro Tonali. His corner in the 77th minute ended with Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders punching into his own net, and Mathys Tel sealed the win in the 87th minute after Cole Palmer's red card.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, the former Liverpool defender said:
“I'm a big fan of Fernandes. He hadn't started the season well. I didn't understand why the manager was playing him in the number 10 role. Then sometimes he wasn't playing, but I watched him for West Ham United a few times last season, and I thought he was a player.”
He added:
“He was the one Manchester United should have gone for. I know they brought three in. They should have just brought two, and he was one of them. He was young, plenty of time to improve. He looked class for West Ham last season, and that was the first time I've seen him in a Tottenham shirt really look the part. I think he's a player.”
The numbers backed him up: 121 touches, 91 completed passes from 99 attempts, 16 passes in the final third, five tackles and two chances created, all more than any other player on the pitch.
Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi praised Fernandes for his performance in Spurs' triumph over Chelsea.
Why Manchester United didn't move for Mateus Fernandes
Manchester United had tracked the Portuguese for much of the window but stepped away when Tottenham agreed a guaranteed £85 million package with West Ham. Sources around Old Trafford indicated they would not go to the levels Spurs did.
Instead, the Red Devils signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea for an initial £48 million and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for £35 million, roughly the Fernandes fee for two midfielders, then added Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £65 million plus £5 million in add-ons late in the window.
Red Devils head coach Michael Carrick said at the time he was content with the signings made by the club in the summer 2026 transfer window. Manchester United had also missed out on top target Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City for £116 million. The club sits 16th after eight league games, with Carrick's future under scrutiny.