Manchester United are continuing to look for opportunities to expand, strengthen and balance their squad with at least one more midfielder and potentially another forward arriving at Old Trafford this summer.
Having all but secured the signing of Atalanta’s Ederson, United are currently exploring a deal to sign West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes – as Sky Sports News reported on Tuesday.
As the club are doing with other targets, United are continuing to do background work on Fernandes – who is seen as a realistic deal after the Hammers’ relegation – with midfield remaining a priority for the club to strengthen this window.
Sky Sports News understands West Ham value Fernandes at around £80m and are in no rush to sell the player. The Hammers signed the Portuguese midfielder for an initial fee of £38m last summer.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson continues to be high on United’s list of targets with the club holding a long-term interest in the England midfielder.
Forest have rejected an initial offer by neighbours Manchester City and the coming weeks will be telling to see whether United wait to see how Anderson’s future is resolved – likely after the World Cup – or if they decide to move onto other targets in that time.
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Take a look at some of Elliot Anderson’s best moments for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League
United also continue to retain a long-term interest in Bournemouth’s Alex Scott but as Sky Sports News reported at the end of May, Bournemouth have begun talks over a new contract with Scott and he is deemed not for sale this window. Whether United look to test that resolve remains to be seen.
As United showed last season with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, they are unlikely to move on a player if they deem an opposition’s evaluation too high.
Despite that, the Cameroon international is another option United continue to keep on their radar but there would need to be a significant breakthrough in valuation between the two clubs for any move to happen.
A name United could look at is Napoli’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – the Nigeria international is a midfielder on their wish list.
The former Sheffield Wednesday player has two years left on his contract and although he is happy in Italy, sources close to the player believe he is open to a move to the Premier League.
Will United sign two more midfielders or stick with current options?
The question remains whether United will look to sign two more midfielders in addition to Ederson, with Mason Mount being played in a deeper position in midfield towards the end of the season.
Man Utd could look to use Mason Mount in a deeper position next season
Tyler Fletcher is also expected to be more involved with the first team next season. The additional experience the 19-year-old will now get being part of Scotland’s World Cup campaign will be a huge boost when he returns to Carrington later this summer.
One midfielder who is expected to leave is Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte had little impact last season but started Uruguay’s last two international games in March, and could play a big part in their World Cup campaign – which United’s hierarchy will hope increases any resale value this summer.
Zirkzee departure could open up move for ‘versatile’ forward
United could also look to add a versatile forward this summer depending on the potential departure of Joshua Zirkzee.
Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha all reached double figures in their debut seasons at Old Trafford but understandably United may look to strengthen their attacking options with more games, including Champions League football, to look forward to.
Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is a player the club are interested in, with Villa expected to listen to offers around the £80m mark. It remains to be seen whether United could match that figure in addition to other incomings, but his potential sale would significantly benefit Villa’s ability to reinvest in Unai Emery’s squad this summer.
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye is another option United are monitoring as Sky Sports News reported in March – however he has three years left on his contract and any deal is understood to be unlikely in this window.
A lesser known name in England that Manchester United are also showing interest in is Lille’s 21-year-old forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo. The young forward can also play on the wings and was included in Belgium’s World Cup squad having tallied eight goals and five assists in Ligue 1 last season.
However, much of United’s search for a forward will depend on the future of Zirkzee.
He remains a curious case as he has been understood to be a positive influence around the changing room since his arrival at the club in 2024 but has not been able to build any sort of momentum on the pitch.
His departure is not guaranteed this summer but if he does leave, it leaves room for United to strengthen their forward options.
