Mateus Fernandes: Why United are ahead in race to sign West Ham gem | OneFootball

Bruno Fernandes’ influence at Manchester United has been underlined by his being crowned the 2026 Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).

Having already secured Champions League football, Fernandes is now chasing the league’s all-time record of 20 assists in a season.

Irrespective of who is at the helm next term, Fernandes is expected to play a pivotal role in United’s rebuild. A report suggests his impact could also be felt during the summer transfer window.

Bruno Fernandes could help Manchester United sign Mateus Fernandes

West Ham United’s all-action midfielder Mateus Fernandes has attracted Manchester United’s interest, with the Red Devils keen to overhaul their midfield with more athletic and technical players.

Fernandes fits that brief perfectly, having impressed in East London with his ability to play between the lines and his ground coverage both in and out of possession.

With West Ham on the brink of relegation to the Championship, the Premier League’s top clubs, including United and Manchester City, are chasing the Portuguese box-to-box dynamo.

According to journalist Sébastien Vidal, United believe they have an edge in the race to sign Fernandes due to the presence of Bruno Fernandes.

The West Ham star has admitted that the United captain is his biggest role model and that he has been following him since his Sporting CP days. “I looked up to him and tried to learn from him,” the 21-year-old revealed.

Bruno Fernandes wants Mateus Fernandes at Manchester United

The admiration is mutual, as it has previously been reported that Bruno Fernandes wants United to sign the West Ham youngster as his successor at Old Trafford.

Fernandes is described as “a modern-day regista” capable of making a difference all across the midfield.

Mateus Fernandes Stats: 2025/26 Season

Recently, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United have “been in talks” with Fernandes’ camp for “four to six weeks…to establish terms [and] see if the player is open [to the move].”

However, if West Ham survive the drop, it would be very difficult for United to secure Fernandes’ services without paying an exorbitant fee. As such, any major development might not take place until the end of the season.

Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images

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