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Manchester United made the right call in summer transfer saga but jury still out on plan B

Man Utd decided Mateus Fernandes wasn't worth £85million in the summer and instead signed two midfielders for that price.

Published: Thursday, 8 October 2026 at 10:51 AM
Manchester United made the right call in summer transfer saga but jury still out on plan B
Key Things to Know
  • Tyrone Marshall argues Manchester United correctly avoided signing Mateus Fernandes, but doubts remain over alternative midfield signings.
  • Tottenham Hotspur signed midfielder Fernandes from West Ham for an £85 million permanent transfer fee.
  • Manchester United instead spent £85 million combined on permanent deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Manchester Evening News writer Tyrone Marshall argues that Manchester United made the correct decision by refusing to pay West Ham's £85 million valuation for Mateus Fernandes, who joined Tottenham instead. Fernandes has struggled early in the season under Roberto De Zerbi, but Marshall suggests the jury remains out on United's alternative signings after they spent the equivalent funds on Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

United paid £50 million to sign Santos permanently from Chelsea and £35 million for Tielemans. Marshall notes that while Fernandes has found life difficult in North London, Santos has struggled for minutes under Michael Carrick and Tielemans has yet to fully control games, leaving questions about United's midfield revamp.

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