Manchester United are expected to be active in the summer transfer window regardless of who becomes their head coach, with two new central midfielders at the top of their wish list.
Morgan Rodgers is Manchester United transfer target (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Manchester United are said to be viewing Morgan Rodgers as Bruno Fernandes’ long-term successor, but the influential captain’s future is yet to be decided.
The Portuguese playmaker had an exceptional season, leading United’s resurgence under manager Michael Carrick, winning 10 of their 14 Premier League games as caretaker manager and guiding the club back into the Champions League. However, noise surrounding Fernandes’ future beyond this summer has resurfaced in recent weeks.
Fernandes is understood to have expressed a desire to challenge for the biggest trophies after rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia last year, while fresh move interest for the 31-year-old could materialize on the back of his imposing form. United will hope they can retain him by showing his ambition for a summer slot.
Rodgers is one of United’s real targets as they look to strengthen their attacking left flank. However, according to the Telegraph, the Aston Villa player has also been given the No. 10 role as Fernandes’ successor.
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United hope to convince their captain to help them qualify for the Champions League next season, and if the Red Devils were to sign the popular English star, Rodgers would likely play primarily on the left.
There is no shortage of clubs lurking behind Rodgers, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also praising the former Middlesbrough attacker.
Bruno Fernandes’ long-term future uncertain (Image: Conor Molloy/ProSports/Shutterstock)
The report also outlines Manchester United’s interest in West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes as they continue to develop plans to revamp their midfield for the 2026-27 season.
United are likely to sign at least two central midfielders, with only Fernandes and Koby Mainu central to their plans going forward. The latter signed a new five-year contract last week after forcing his way back into the first team under Carrick.
Matheus Fernandes is another midfield player United are interested in (Image: Tiego Grenho/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Fernandes joined West Ham last summer for a fee of £38m and has managed to improve his reputation despite the team struggling in the relegation battle. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently at risk of relegation with just three league games remaining, so dropping out of the Championship would significantly weaken the Hammers’ negotiating position.
Elliott Anderson is also a summer target for United, while Manchester City are also keen to court the Nottingham Forest midfielder, who has had an excellent season. Real Madrid’s Aurelien Choamenyi is also on United’s shortlist, as is Brighton’s Carlos Baleva.
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