It seemed that 2025 was the year that Manchester United finally found it again in the recruitment department, even after a difficult finish in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim.
At the lowest level, the Red Devils have shown that they remain an attractive destination no matter what, as they signed Matheus Cunha in a £62.5m deal.
A deal was eventually struck for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, despite competition from the Cameroonian, while the Old Trafford side tried to secure Benjamin Sesko ahead of Newcastle United who were unlucky.
Throw Senne Lammens into the mix, and it was a job well done for the INEOS government, even though it's been 12 months since things went wrong.
Could there finally be some good news emerging, though?
Man United are tipped to make another £80m bid for Mateus Fernandes
With Elliot Anderson set to become the first signing of the new post-Pep Guardiola era at Manchester City, United have made a significant change to West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes.
As in Anderson's case, however, the finances of that deal proved something of a stumbling block, with INEOS also receiving no confirmation that the 21-year-old really wanted to close the deal.
As it stands, the Portuguese international is now the second most expensive player in Tottenham Hotspur's history at £85m, having only joined the Hammers in a £40m deal last year.
As for those at Old Trafford, they at least have a list of exciting alternatives, with Sky Sports explaining that Bournemouth's Alex Scott has become 'very important'.
The suggestion is that United, along with Arsenal, could be considered frontrunners in the race to sign the Guernsey-born player, although the Cherries are still keen to keep the 22-year-old.
The south coast side are hoping to offer the youngster a massive new deal to avoid any interest, although there have been claims that £80m would be enough to seal the deal.
Why Scott could be Man Utd's answer to Fernandes
Be it Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitike, last year he proved to be the summer of the striker. Now, it's all about chasing the quarterback.
Man City snapped up Anderson, while Arsenal are keen to bring Bruno Guimaraes into the fold.
The big players have been Spurs, however, with the signing of Fernandes followed by a record deal for Sandro Tonali.
The Premier League elite are all moving in the market for a midfielder, and United are in danger of being left behind, as potential options begin to be cut.
Indeed, at the age of 21 and with two years of Premier League football behind him, the young Fernandes felt fit, not least because of his admiration for his compatriot, Bruno Fernandes.
He would be a long-term solution to United's central midfielder, although so would Scott if that deal were to be struck, with the England star still only 22.
Part of the team that won U21 European Championship glory alongside Anderson in 2025, Scott is a footballer, enjoying a midfielder, a floater in his eight role.
|
Scott vs M Fernandes – 25/26 PL |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Scott |
Number (90th percentile) |
M Fernandes |
|
1.39 |
Shots |
0.83 |
|
0.13 |
Great opportunities |
0.06 |
|
0.13 |
Great opportunities have been created |
0.06 |
|
0.44 |
Depth carries |
0.18 |
|
0.91 |
Success. dribbles |
0.83 |
|
1.54 |
Continuous carriers |
1.10 |
|
1.67 |
It goes to the final third |
1.10 |
Formerly at Bristol City, his talents have only really blossomed in the last 12 months or so after an injury disrupted start to life at Vitality, most notably as the Cherries beat Arsenal at the Emirates earlier this year.
He was also influential in the 2-2 draw with Michael Carrick's men last term, winning 100% of his duels and face-offs on the night, while boasting 82 touches as he ran the game against Casemiro and co.
Even despite his youth, there is a control and composure to his game, just like Spurs' new man, Fernandes.
Indeed, he finished the campaign with an accuracy rate of 85% in the top flight, just below Fernandes' average of 87%. In context, Casemiro's average has dropped significantly by 81%.
Like Fernandes, Scott is also a tackler, boasting 2.6 fumbles per game, while averaging 5.3 fumble recoveries. The former West Ham player enjoyed a similar record of 3.9 and 5.1 in those two metrics, respectively.
Neither player is a bargain, although both have scored three goals in spectacular, superb style, while Scott is only to edge out his Premier League counterpart in terms of 'big chances' created (four vs three).
There are real similarities to be seen, to ensure that for all the frustration of seeing the Lilywhites snap up Fernandes, United can still make a statement, an exciting midfield move that is their own real star in the making.
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