You're not going to find any club spending £20 odd million for a 35 year old forward.
Mateus Fernandes
- Thread starter Fortitude
- Start date
The door has probably closed on a Welbeck return. That is the right kind of idea, though - we need a seasoned, reliable backup to Sesko. I thought we looked a lot worse when Sesko went off at the weekend - with him out of the side, we don't have anyone who can hold the ball up and our attacking play breaks down.
As for M. Fernandes, he strikes me as a pretty good #8 option to rotate with Mainoo (alongside our new #6 Casemiro replacement, whoever that is). He might prove cheaper than Wharton, too.
As for M. Fernandes, he strikes me as a pretty good #8 option to rotate with Mainoo (alongside our new #6 Casemiro replacement, whoever that is). He might prove cheaper than Wharton, too.
We should sign Mateus immediately if West Ham get relegated. Bruno is his idol, which makes things easier for us.
Hmmm interesting comparisonI wouldn't be so sure. He attempts more passes than Scott and Wharton, while being more accurate. He attempts more long passes than both, while being more accurate. He also averages more key passes from open play per game than Scott and Wharton. He also completes more progressive passes than Scott, while Wharton is better than both Fernandes and Scott in that area.
Mateus Fernandes:
Wharton:
Scott:
Thank you. I have been watching West Ham’s last few games with my eyes on Fernandes and Diouf. I would really want to rule Diouf out first of all. His crossing is delicious but defensively he is more braindead than Dalot.
Regarding Fernandes, I have seen him giving unspectacular performances over the last few games. None of what he has done, pressing, passing, winning the ball back have been particularly amazing. I think if West Ham go down, we can sign Fernandes but he will be an investment for the future rather than someone who can run our midfield in the present.
From all the options we’ve been linked with, my personal preference would be Tonali. He’s the perfect age, plays with a high degree of ownership, and I think will significantly improve our ball progression. He also has experience in the CL and tough international games.
I think we sign one 25-28 year old (Tonali hopefully), one young one (Baleba/Fernandes/Wharton) and one decent bargain (Hackney maybe). Regardless, this summer could be when we solve our midfield problems for the foreseeable future or when we push ourselves further into the hole.
This lad look class whenever I have seen him, and is very high up on my "want" list.
Quality passing, good engine and tenacious, he reminds me a little bit of Joao Neves at PSG, in his style.
I also like the fact that he has now been involved in 2 PL relegation battles, that gives him a bit of extra fighting spirit I think.
Quality passing, good engine and tenacious, he reminds me a little bit of Joao Neves at PSG, in his style.
I also like the fact that he has now been involved in 2 PL relegation battles, that gives him a bit of extra fighting spirit I think.
Sam Johnstone won’t be free. He’s got 2 years left on his contract. I doubt that he would cost much though
Jason Burt at the Telegraph linked United with him on Monday:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/05/04/man-utd-interested-in-west-ham-mateus-fernandes/
Mbeumo and Amad have been ass even in their favoured position. Amad was even more ass at LW than RW. Those two at LW are just horrible ideas. You also still run in to the same issue of a lack of depth and options in wide areas if one of Cunha, Amad or Mbeumo get injured.
Dorgu it remains to be seen if his couple of decent games at LW were sustainable or a flash in the pan. It's still not even clear if his future lies at LW or LB.
Goals win games, and United have been over-reliant on Cunha of late from their forward line. An additional goal threat from wide areas is essential.
Agree with the type of players selected, defo need 3 in. Kobbie will be the 4th and promote 1/2 from the youth set-up (Kone etc.)
Not sold on Tonali tbh, seems a bit haphazard for me, and more of an offensive midfielder. For the first one I think we need someone more defensively assured.
People thinking we have a shot at signing Tchouameni 
I would say Fernandes' passing isn't really anything to particularly crazy and whenever I've watched him, I think it's pretty erratic. I think he's very mobile, combative and has a good eye for goal, but I don't think he's as creative as someone like Smit - albeit in the Eredivise. Smit's a great dribbler by the way if you've not watched him play, watch him against Palace.
If west ham get relegated Fernandes, Summerville and Bowen should all be on our list.
If Spurs go down then Van Der Ven and Maybe Simmons should be on the shortlist (obviously price dependant).
If Spurs go down then Van Der Ven and Maybe Simmons should be on the shortlist (obviously price dependant).
Bowen as the back up striker might work!
Summerville looks interesting too.
Fernandes is absolutely what we need.
I’d be happy with them.
Nah, that ship has sailed for him at a big club.
Yeah could be a good signing this.
I don't think we should look at any other West Ham players. Bowen is obviously a good premier league player but we don't need him. Diouf is ok but not great. Summerville useful for sure but not seeing a top level player there.
Bergvall, Simons, and Porro might be worth a look at the right price if Spurs go down (don't think they will).
I don't think we should look at any other West Ham players. Bowen is obviously a good premier league player but we don't need him. Diouf is ok but not great. Summerville useful for sure but not seeing a top level player there.
Bergvall, Simons, and Porro might be worth a look at the right price if Spurs go down (don't think they will).
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Would absolutely love for us to get him. He's got the pashun too
Depends if you’d call Spurs a big club…
I would not
. That would be a good destination for him though.That's the nice thing about Smit, he offers passing, dribbling and combativeness. I think he will cost more than Lammens, something in the 25-40m range but totally worth it imo. There's a reason Madrid, Barca, Chelsea and us have looked at him.
I don't see any great passing ability with Fernandes, nothing incisive, usually plays it safe. I don't think that's his strength is all I'm saying.
Smit is combative but he's not the main defensive player in the midfield for AZ. However as a playmaker, his numbers are more than reasonable. He would be playing next to a Tchou/Baleba, I'm more than sure he can handle his own.
Thanks for your view on Smit.
I agree, he would come in as the 3rd CM and basically compete with Mainoo. Basically the same role that M.Fernandes would play if he came into the squad. I agree that his defensive output will get better with experience and physical development.
Post Bruno, a midfield of him, Mainoo and Tchou/Baleba would be very exciting and complimentary.
I'm not too sure with him from the highlights i've seen. He seems to basically offer the same as Mainoo in midfield, which is good for rotation but I don't think he solves the Casemiro replacement issue
Wow I wish he could be half as good as him
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He'd be coming in as a Mainoo rotation option (either M. Fernandes or Wharton would be good fits for that role in my view).
The new #6 (Casemiro replacement) will surely be a more physical player, likely to be chosen from a list that includes Anderson, Baleba, Tchouameni etc - they would play alongside either Mainoo or M. Fernandes/Wharton.
If Ugarte goes (and I think he should) we'd then need an additional physical #6 option (probably someone younger/cheaper if there isn't a suitable option in the academy).
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Both are quite lightweight, though combative. They don't dominate enough, we have to be thinking like a CL club now. Imo we need to replace experience otherwise Maino and our midfield will go backwards.
Speed, covering ground, strength, defensive qualities and passing are needed.
Baleba and Tchouameni (don't know where these rumours have come from) for sure. I think Baleba is already being negotiated behind the scenes as he is a unique profile, real number 6.
We need to improve the first 11, first and foremost.
You mean people like Andy Mitten, James Ducker and Laurie Whitwell who all have genuine links to the club and very respected when it comes to United news ?People thinking we have a shot at signing Tchouameni
Bowen isn’t a striker though. Hes a RWF.
Though you could argue that he’d pose more danger than Mbeumo in his form
He’s a better passer than Mainoo, could also argue he’s got better stamina too
Liking these links - as our second midfield purchase this would be a good deal, potentially for a great price if West Ham go down
Yeah him and Tchouameni would be quality, like you say significantly helps if they go down
They're not avoiding relegation now though. Spurs becoming even somewhat competent has put paid to that, with the other teams (Forest etc) having too many points to drag into it. Was hoping for Spurs' relegation to punish their fans' hubris as well as give us the chance to snatch 1-2 players, but chance of Fernandes plus blow to WHU's repugnant-ownership [doubly so if charges relating to 1 in particular are true] will have to suffice.
Personally I'm glad Spurs will most likely stay up as got a close family connection to them. Also the fact it could mean getting this guy at a decent price
I hope he is our first early signing
He's quick and energetic and has a very good long shot. I dont think he's that much like Mainoo, I think his attitude would compliment him with Fernandes being more action packed and Mainoo being a bit more controlled and calm. While the stats dont show him to be the best creative passer if you watch highlights he does have creative passes in his locker so its more about getting him to do it more often.
I hope we don't pay a lot more than West Ham paid as I dont think hes played above that level this season but he's certainly a talent and at a top club he could go up a few levels. I think when Bruno eventually moves on he would be a player that would help us with that transition as he can play CM and AM and while he might never be Bruno level, hes at least like a Nani to Ronaldo if Bruno is Ronaldo.
Could always pick up Rogers or Palmer to replace Bruno IF either of them is realistically gettable at the time
Rogers is so overrated, I find it a bit nuts he's being suggested. Palmer had been dogshite all season and doesn't look remotely over his chronic injuries.
Also, we have Cunha who is more naturally suited to central areas.
Who do you think could fit the bill as replacement?
I don't really understand why Madrid would let him go. I think he'd be open to playing for us but only if Madrid want to sell.People thinking we have a shot at signing Tchouameni
Just hoping these incidents open doors