Manchester United have made two interesting additions to their midfield shortlist in Mateus Fernandes and Hayden Hackney.
The Red Devils are bracing themselves for a midfield overhaul in the summer. Casemiro has already announced his departure, while Manuel Ugarte could follow him out the door as well. Bruno Fernandes could remain at Carrington, but has resumed his original duties as a No.10, leaving a hole in the middle of the park.
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Therefore, Kobbie Mainoo is the only name who’s certain to occupy a place in Man Utd’s midfield next season.
Why Man Utd need more affordable alternatives to Anderson & Wharton
Since the start of the season, United have been linked with some of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League, namely Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Sandro Tonali, who is the latest to emerge as a serious target for the Reds.
Nevertheless, the four aforementioned players would only be available for figures in the region of £100 million.
Therefore, talkSPORT Football Chief Correspondent Alex Crook believes that MUFC can only afford to sign one of their top targets next summer.
🚨 NEW: The recruitment model for United this summer is expected to closely resemble last year’s. Until recently, the indication was that more than one central midfielder might be signed. But recent developments probably tied to Kobbie Mainoo – could change that approach.
In the… pic.twitter.com/C1dTtZNgcd
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) March 11, 2026
But even if Man Utd were to buy one of their expensive targets, it wouldn’t be enough to plug all gaps in the midfield department, so another one or two buys will be required.
Hence, Jason Wilcox and Co. are reportedly eyeing more affordable profiles who can round off the middle of the park.
Man Utd keeping close tabs on West Ham young star Mateus Fernandes
Crook reveals that Man Utd have been keeping an eye on Mateus Fernandes, an ever-present young midfielder in West Ham’s starting lineup this season.
The 21-year-old is a youth product of Sporting Club who arrived in England in 2024 through the gates of Southampton.
Despite the Saints’ miserable 2024/25 campaign, he did enough to warrant a second chance in the Premier League.
West Ham were even willing to splash £40 million to secure his services. The young Portuguese is a dynamic box-to-box midfielder who excels at carrying the ball forward. Transfermarkt estimates his value at €35 million (circa £30m).
United consider reuniting Michael Carrick with Hayden Hackney
In addition to Fernandes, Cook mentions Man Utd’s interest in Hayden Hackney, a Middlesbrough youth product who established himself as a first-team regular under the guidance of Michael Carrick.
| Stats in 25/26 | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Mateus Fernandes | 32 | 4 | 4 |
| Hayden Hackney | 38 | 6 | 7 |
The 23-year-old operates as a deep-lying playmaker and is renowned for his ability to pick up a teammate with an excellent through ball, earning him comparisons to Wharton. His current Transfermarkt value is €28 million (£24m).
Needless to say, the Redcar native’s chances of earning a move to Old Trafford would be boosted if Man Utd were to confirm Carrick as permanent head coach.
Nevertheless, Hackney had already been linked with MUFC in the past, long before the 44-year-old’s appointment in January.
Yet again ineos are thinking of doing something that doesn’t surprise me they promise to buy world class players but in reality they are shopping in the bargain basement and just like the American cockroaches before them they will pay well over the odds for mediocre players and then when they finally realise what they have done they will sell them for a fraction of what they cost the club you have the perfect example in the form of Sancho Antony hojlund and even home grown talent who they have sold for a fraction of their value in the form of rashford garnacho if there’s one thing that ineos are good at that is financial cockups costing the club millions
If you think Fernandes is bargain basement you know nothing about football he is consistently the top player in the opta power rankings out scoring all of your midfielders by a distance, as for thinking you will get him for £30-35m that ain’t going to happen maybe add a 100m to that and it will be closer to the real target.
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