Bigger talent than Fernandes: Man Utd in “active” talks to sign £70m star

The doubters will suggest that much of Manchester United‘s success under Michael Carrick last season came as a result of having just one Premier League game a week, although the caveat is that the Englishman wasn’t exactly working with a stacked squad at Old Trafford.

It was largely the same 13 or 14 players who did the business in the first half of 2026, with Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte drifting into the periphery, while the likes of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt were hamstrung by injury.

Carrick and co got the job done regardless, but such minimal alterations won’t be sustainable as the club seek to compete on four fronts next season, amid the exciting return of Champions League football.

Midfield, following the confirmation of Casemiro’s exit, remains the priority, but if United are to kick on next season, there are a number of other areas to address.

Man Utd engaging in “active” talks to sign Premier League sensation

Much like with the case of Declan Rice three years ago, the Old Trafford side will have to watch on and see a statement target move on elsewhere, with Elliot Anderson seemingly Manchester City-bound.

That impending move to the Etihad has seen United turn their attention toward West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, with reports on Saturday outlining that the club are hoping to wrap up a deal swiftly for the Portuguese playmaker.

The 21-year-old is said to be keen to make the move, following the Hammers’ recent relegation, with his omission from Portugal’s World Cup squad also ensuring there should be no delay with regard to striking an agreement.

There could be something of a similar situation with regard to Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall too, with the £70m-rated talent – who was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad – said to be keen to make the move to Old Trafford himself.

Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has also offered an encouraging update on INEOS’ interest in Hall, revealing on his YouTube channel that United are in “active” talks to sign the Englishman.

According to Romano, there is “genuine interest” in signing the 21-year-old left-back this summer, with the former Chelsea man believed to be a target that the club “really like”.

Why Lewis Hall could be a bigger talent than Fernandes

It’s been a tale of two seasons and two relegations for Fernandes in the Premier League, with eyebrows likely to be raised if United do meet his reported £80m-£85m asking price.

Reports have indicated that Hall himself could fetch as much as £70m, although the left-footer boasts a stronger body of work in English football and already looks like one of the best around in his position.

Tuchel may think otherwise, for now, although in the view of ex-teammate and compatriot, Kieran Trippier, Hall can become “one of the best left-backs in the world“, if he isn’t already.

Indeed, it was only a few months ago that the youngster stole the show in the Champions League first-leg meeting with Barcelona, with Spanish media subsequently dubbing him the ‘anti-Lamine Yamal’, such was the way he shut down the fleet-footed Spaniard.

That experience in Europe’s premier competition certainly gives Hall the edge over Fernandes, with it something of a gamble to invest so heavily in a player who has shone for two sinking ships in Southampton and West Ham.

Fernandes is undoubtedly a talent, but there’s plenty to like about Hall too, with the Cobham graduate also boasting the benefit of his versatility, considering he can also feature in central midfield.

A teen sensation back at Stamford Bridge, the boyhood Newcastle fan has perhaps saved his best work for when facing Man United to date, with two of his three career goals actually coming at Old Trafford.

There was also a particularly standout performance in the December meeting between the two sides, even as Ruben Amorim’s men ran out 1-0 winners, memorably striking the crossbar after embarking on one of his many progressive carries that evening.

Such is the quality of what he offers in the final third, Hall actually bettered Fernandes with regard to ‘big chances’ created last season (five vs three), despite operating at left-back, having also enjoyed a superior record in terms of successful dribbles per game (1.2 vs 0.8).

Fernandes might well blossom further into a genuine midfield star, although Hall already appears to be the cream of the crop when it comes to those in his position, the type of player who can be a feature of United’s defence for a decade if he is to make the move.