It will be another summer dominated by talk of long-term signings and the youth transfer policy of Premier League clubs, although at Manchester United, it was experience that won the day this season.
2026, in particular, saw the 33-year-old Harry Maguire enjoying a real resurgence under Michael Carrick, while in the campaign as a whole, Luke Shaw was back to his best form, starting all 38 Premier League games following an injury a few years ago.
Ahead of this long-running pairing was the central midfield duo of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, two men who battled Ruben Amorim's chaotic 3-4-2-1 to re-emerge as stalwarts under Carrick.
Casemiro's nine league goals. 21 league assists for Fernandes. This is the kind of quality and impact these two men bring to the table in 2025/26.
With the Brazilian on the way after a successful finish in Manchester, all eyes are now on who can replace him.
The £50m midfielder is keen to join Man Utd alongside Ederson
It seems that the first signing of the summer is now a matter of when and not, in the case of Atalanta's Ederson, INEOS are wasting no time in consolidating their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
A former Atletico Madrid star, the Brazilian looks set to join United instead, with reports suggesting a deal could be completed soon.
With a potential fee of around £39m, the expectation is that the South American is the first midfielder to come in, the sort of figure to improve the squad without moving up the ranks in the starting line-up.
A further statement could follow, with SportsBoom indicating that the Red Devils remain in the race to sign West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes amid Manuel Ugarte's exit.
The report says that the Portuguese player has his fans at Old Trafford, and the United captain, in particular, is said to be a 'big fan' of his countryman.
After West Ham's recent relegation, the 21-year-old will be available for around £50m, and the report also adds that Fernandes appears keen to make the move, explaining that he would 'jump at the chance' to join Carrick's side.
Mateus Fernandes – the perfect combination for Bruno and Casemiro?
Casemiro is on the way, and at some point it will be time to think about the succession plan regarding the captain, Bruno Fernandes is yet to sign a contract extension.
|
Man Utd – PL Site 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
The player |
It helps |
|
Fernandes |
21 |
|
Dorgu |
4 |
|
Mad |
3 |
|
Dalot |
3 |
|
Mbeumo |
3 |
|
Casemiro |
2 |
|
Cunha |
2 |
|
Maguire |
2 |
|
Mainoo |
2 |
That could be when young Mateus Fernandes proves a good contrast, then, with the former Southampton man boasting elements of his game that are more in line with the experienced United duo.
It might not be obvious at first glance, given his diminutive height, but the £50m man actually boasts a Casemiro-esque, ball-winning flair, as shown in a difficult season for the Irons.
Often deployed in central midfield alongside Tomas Soucek, Fernandes has been a workhouse tackler in east London, averaging 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game.
That's not too far from what Casemiro achieved in his first season in the Premier League, the Real Madrid hero averaging 4.4 in that, before averaging 3.5 this time.
He's not afraid to do the dirty work, as was evident during his time with the Saints, averaging 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game in 2024/25.
That suggests he could provide much-needed movement and athleticism alongside Kobbie Mainoo, while Fernandes has the passing quality and creativity to suggest he could emulate his names in United's midfield.
Of course, Bruno is the cream of the crop, having recently bagged a record-breaking assist and created 33 'big chances', although the youngster managed to make it his own for the Hammers, bagging seven goals and assists, while creating three 'big chances'.
There is still a way to go in that regard, although the West Ham starlet also registered six goals and assists and six “big chances” created last year, suggesting this campaign has not been a flash in the pan.
In the opinion of one commentator, he is like a “lying Bruno Fernandes”, his ability to spray deep passes, while also his ability to find the spectacular, boasting a catalog of outstanding goals already during his time in England.
For around £50m, this could be a case of United killing two birds with one stone, bringing in another ball-winning beast to fill Casemiro's shoes, yet also ensure there is a true disciple of captain Fernandes in that midfield unit.
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