Man Utd ready to sign Mainoo’s perfect partner ASAP

Kobbie Mainoo may well be fearing the worst already at this summer’s World Cup, with England boss Thomas Tuchel seemingly opting for anyone but the Manchester United midfielder in the opening game win over Croatia.

There was no great surprise at Tuchel’s starting lineup, yet eyebrows were raised when Jude Bellingham dropped into a deeper role to replace the withdrawn Declan Rice, lining up alongside Manchester City-bound Elliot Anderson

More intriguingly was the subsequent decision to shift Reece James into a central role, following Bellingham’s own withdrawal, raising questions as to where Mainoo does actually lie in the midfield pecking order.

That said, two years ago, the then-teenager featured for just four minutes across the first two group games at Euro 2024, yet proceeded to start every knockout game thereafter, including the final.

As he showed in 2025/26, the 21-year-old is no stranger to biding his time for a chance, having swiftly cemented his place as Michael Carrick’s go-to man in midfield.

Man Utd hoping to wrap up swift deal to sign Mainoo partner

It was just a matter of months ago that Mainoo appeared destined for a January loan exit, amid his limited role under Ruben Amorim, having also been the subject of interest from Chelsea last summer.

Fresh from signing a new long-term deal, the decision is now not over whether he should stay or not, but rather which midfield signing would best complement him following Casemiro’s departure.

The aforementioned Anderson had looked like INEOS’ top target, although the 23-year-old will be on his way to the Etihad, barring anything drastic.

That has led United to pursue West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes instead, with Fabrizio Romano – speaking on his YouTube channel – revealing that the Red Devils are still “pushing” to sign the Portuguese playmaker.

As per Romano, there is rival interest from Real Madrid, but it is United and Tottenham Hotspur who boast the greater financial power as things stand, the Premier League pair said to be keen to do a deal “as soon as possible”.

The transfer insider noted that despite Spurs having entered the frame, INEOS “keep working” on their own pursuit, with talks seemingly underway regarding his reported £80m asking price.

Why Fernandes signing will be perfect for Mainoo

The legacy of Amorim’s time at United, his persistence with a 3-4-2-1 aside, will be the Portuguese’s stubborn refusal to hand Mainoo a prominent role, as the youngster proved unable to earn a single Premier League start in the first half of 2025/26.

Right from the off under Carrick, the Stockport-born sensation has made his former boss look rather silly, starting every game thereafter, excluding the defeat to Leeds United.

His clincher against Liverpool was the undoubted high point, although who can forget his stunning, gliding run at home to Bournemouth, a moment that again signified just what a talent he is.

One concern, as Amorim seemingly had, has always been Mainoo’s mobility and ability to cover ground, although that could be where Fernandes proves vital, such is his workmanlike, all-action style.

Part of a midfield two alongside the experienced Tomas Soucek at West Ham last season, the 21-year-old was everywhere at times, putting out fires all over the park for the Hammers.

He notably averaged 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game in the top-flight, alongside 5.1 ball recoveries, actually eclipsing Casemiro’s average of 3.5 and 4.1 for those same two metrics, respectively.

You could argue Mainoo already has that style of ball-winning talent in the form of Manuel Ugarte, although that is a combination that has never really flourished, perhaps due to the Uruguayan’s woes in possession.

While minutes were limited across 2025/26 for the 25-year-old, he only recorded an 85% pass accuracy rate, while averaging just 0.1 key passes per game, hardly shouldering the progressive, creative burden on those around him, such as Mainoo.

Fernandes represents a significant upgrade, therefore, in that sense, the younger man so composed and controlled in possession, yet with that probing quality to his game too.

Indeed, he boasted a stellar 87% pass accuracy rate, while having averaged one key pass per game, representing the type of player Mainoo can work with and feed off as part of a proper partnership.

Carrick appeared to extract all he could out of the Casemiro and Mainoo pairing, but there were times when the midfield still looked exposed, with neither man really having the legs to keep up with the opposition.

Fernandes would represent a perfect addition in that regard, someone who – unlike Ugarte – can rival Mainoo as an attacking threat, yet is also comfortable dropping deeper, thus negating the need for the Englishman to always have to dictate proceedings.

It would be somewhat of a risk to put faith in two players who are still just 21, yet Carrick could well be the perfect coach to help a fruitful, long-term pairing blossom at Old Trafford.