The £100m signing Man Utd could make after missing out on Fernandes

It hasn’t exactly been the most fruitful World Cup for Manchester United’s midfield crop, with it yet to be seen what the impact will be for Michael Carrick and co next season.

Mason Mount – part of England’s squad in Qatar in 2022 – was barely on the radar this time around, while Kobbie Mainoo is yet to get a kick despite being selected by Thomas Tuchel.

Tyler Fletcher, a late call-up to Steve Clarke’s squad, didn’t play a single minute as Scotland crashed out, while the incoming Ederson has merely been utilised as a back-up right-back for Brazil, following his own last-gasp call-up.

Elsewhere, Bruno Fernandes has been forced to deal with an ageing Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him, while Manuel Ugarte’s woes continued after sustaining a serious injury in Uruguay’s final group game against Spain.

That blow will enhance United’s need for incomings yet could also hamper their hopes of recouping a fee for the South American, with midfield still the area of greatest concern at Old Trafford.

Wilcox could be central to United sealing midfield signing

The headline name had been that of Mateus Fernandes, and despite the belief that the Portuguese favoured a move to Manchester, it is Tottenham Hotspur who appear to have won that hotly contested race.

The 21-year-old will not follow Ederson to become midfield signing number two for INEOS, ensuring there will need be alternatives lined up.

As revealed by The Athletic’s David OrnsteinUgarte’s setback shouldn’t necessarily prove an obstacle to any incomings, with INEOS having not been reliant on a sale to fund further incomings anyway.

The man leading proceedings at the club is Jason Wilcox, with the Englishman set to have the ‘ultimate responsibility’ when it comes to both incomings and outgoings.

That report also notes that the transfer chief could be a crucial factor in United’s pursuit of Felix Nmecha, the German having risen up through the ranks at Manchester City during Wilcox’s stint at the Etihad.

Talks are believed to have been held with Borussia Dortmund regarding a potential deal for the 25-year-old, amid talk of initial ‘enquiries’, with the player certainly one of the options on the table this summer.

The ex-City man is said to be keen on a return to the Premier League, although whether any suitor meets his reported £100m asking price remains to be seen.

How Nmecha compares to Mateus Fernandes

It perhaps isn’t exactly the best time to be reporting on interest in a German target, with Nmecha part of the side that was dumped out on penalties against Paraguay on Monday evening.

As that early exit showcased, this is no vintage outfit under Julian Nagelsmann, although Nmecha had at least caught the eye across those four games, memorably opening the scoring with a delightful curled finish against Curacao.

Ahead of that appearance, Nagelsmann reportedly outlined to the 6 foot 3 midfielder that he could become the “best player in the world” in his position, a sign of just how highly-regarded he is.

There may be a fear of Jadon Sancho mark two if United are to sign a former Man City graduate from Dortmund, but that likeness aside, Nmecha would be a real powerhouse figure to add to Carrick’s midfield unit.

At 25, he is entering the peak of his powers, having enjoyed a solid season back in Germany with five goals and assists recorded in the Bundesliga.

That is actually behind the aforementioned Fernandes’ record of seven goals and assists for West Ham in the Premier League, although it is Nmecha who comes out on top across a string of other metrics.

Indeed, what is most notable about the ex-Wolfsburg man is just what an elite ball-carrier he is, almost Paul Pogba-like in the way in which he can drag his team up the pitch from deep.

As per ScoutLab, he ranks in the top 10% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries per 90, as well as in the top 10% for productive dribbles and the top 13% for successful dribbles.

For comparison, Fernandes ranks in just the top 31%, the top 43% and the top 34% for those same three metrics, respectively, evidently not as adept in that regard.

Equally too, it is Nmecha who also appears to be the greater creative force, bettering the younger man for ‘big chances’ created from open play (0.12 vs 0.06), as well as for shots per 90 (1.36 vs 0.83).

He’s a threatening, dominant midfielder who could offer something that this United side hasn’t had in years, boasting a physicality that Fernandes simply can’t contend with.

With five years of Bundesliga experience behind him too, alongside regular Champions League involvement, Nmecha knows what it takes to perform at the elite level.

Fernandes, at just 21, could still blossom into a genuine star of the future, although Nmecha might be the better, ready-made addition for the here and now.