Man Utd are closing in on a big money move

Well, if you were worried that Manchester United would miss Casemiro next season, evidence has just been provided to the contrary.

We know the Brazilian is no longer a spring chicken but the way the veteran midfielder was given the chance to run 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi in Brazil's World Cup opener against Morocco is remarkable.

Casemiro was withdrawn at halftime and looked like a player on his way to MLS. It is reported that he will join Inter Miami after the World Cup.

So, fresh legs are what United need. They have agreed a deal to bring Ederson to Old Trafford but another midfielder could be on the way.

Man Utd are closing in on signing a big-money midfielder

With Casemiro out the door, United have moved quickly to bring in a replacement for the club. Ederson is expected to undergo a medical soon ahead of the £39m move.

Personal terms are drawn up, money is agreed upon and all that remains is the signing of the contract and the official announcement. It's a strong start to the summer for Michael Carrick's side.

However, if they are going to rebuild the stadium successfully, they will need to spend less money. Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest has been a dream come true but they cannot compete financially with Manchester City for his signature. Sandro Tonali's £100m asking price also looks awful. That explains why they pursued Ederson instead in the first weeks of the window.

However, as we all know now, they are also looking at the departure of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham.

The midfielder was axed by the Hammers and is about to leave the London Stadium with Arsenal, one of which is reported to have held talks with the player's camp.

United are also in talks and according to new reports, are in a good position to secure the Portuguese's signature.

This is according to many sources, including the Sun which reveals that Real Madrid, one of Fernandes' attackers, expects him to now sign for the Red Devils.

TEAMtalk also reveals that United will make a bid for the player, although it will be for a lower price than West Ham's £80m demand.

An agreement is now expected to be reached to finalize the £60m inter-district deal. That would be part of the price of what Anderson is expected to join City this summer.

Although a fee is yet to be agreed with the Irons, the player has agreed personal terms ahead of the move.

Why Mateus Fernandes could be Man Utd's best signing in years

Last summer Manchester United went for a different strategy in the transfer window. Long gone, so it seems, are the days of spending big on top-grossing players outside the Premier League.

United have had enough of Antony, enough of Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund. Instead, they welcomed Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Sure, Benjamin Sesko still came at a big cost but it was no surprise to see that Cunha and Mbeumo had their two big money additions very successful.

It wouldn't be too much of a stretch to suggest that they are the team's two best players since then i the signing of modern times; Bruno Fernandes.

Not like Bruno has a big success story in the market but they are going in the right direction now. Of course, you can't expect every player to succeed as a club captain but he has been better than anyone who has joined the club in the last decade.

Last season, he broke the Premier League assists record, finishing the season with 21, beating the likes of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne who previously topped the charts with 20.

He was a ridiculously strong player in United red but with the form of another Fernandes and another Portuguese star, they could make their best signing since leaving Sporting.

Why? Well, Mateus Fernandes ticks too many boxes in United's bid to replace Casemiro in the middle of the park.

Anderson may be a dream target but Fernandes is the next best thing. Both of these players were ranked in the top 10 in combined kilometers by midfielders in the Premier League last season, which is a statistic that not only affects their performance but also their ability to be everywhere at the same time.

Compared to midfielders under the age of U21 in Europe's top seven leagues, the youngster is ranked second in continuous passes completed while sitting first to win, defensive duels won and passes in the middle.

This is a top class player, a proven Premier League talent who can take it easy on this United team.

Importantly as they will replace Casemiro, he won six duels in 90 minutes last season to Casemiro's 6.5. Not only will he be able to do the dirty work done so well by the Brazilian, but he will also add an intensity that the veteran midfielder cannot provide.

United may have Kobbie Mainoo to roam the midfield but he is not a natural on the defensive side of things. Because of this, Fernandes may replace Michael Carrick, as his name has been since he arrived in Lisbon in January 2020.

It was rare for the Red Devils to go about their transfer business in such an impressive manner. The captain has emerged as one of the rare successes of the past six years but the West Ham star is as likely as any new signing to become a real hero in Manchester.