Manchester United are being reported as the leading contenders to sign Mateus Fernandes after West Ham’s relegation left the club ready to move their prized asset on. The Times believes United are “increasingly confident” that they can conclude a deal for the 21-year-old, with Arsenal less willing to meet West Ham’s valuation of over £80 million.

Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have also been linked, but sources suggest United have moved ahead of Arsenal in the running. West Ham purchased the Portugal international in a deal worth in excess of £40 million and appear resigned to maximising their return. Southampton retain a 15% sell-on clause from the midfielder’s previous transfer.

United have already agreed to sign Éderson from Atalanta as they look to strengthen a midfield that will lose Casemiro. Fernandes is reported to be the club’s second midfield target and could become a further priority if Manuel Ugarte departs this summer.

While Old Trafford is presented as the most likely destination, the draft of interest also includes a claim that new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has urged the Spanish club to pursue his compatriot.

Fernandes drew attention in a difficult season at the London Stadium, earning a Premier League Young Player of the Season nomination. He contributed seven goal involvements in the league and averaged 11 defensive contributions per match, a rate inside only Casemiro (12.5) and Ugarte (14.5) among United’s midfield references.

At 21, Fernandes offers a blend of creative spark and physical tenacity and is viewed as a high-upside signing who can operate as a box-to-box presence or in a more defensive role. For a Manchester United side assembling youth and energy in central areas, he would join Bruno, Kobbie Mainoo and Éderson as options expected to help the club cope with domestic and Champions League demands next season.

Manchester United have added Antonee Robinson to a short list as they seek cover at left back ahead of the next season. Luke Shaw enjoyed what was likely his best campaign since joining in 2014, playing all 38 Premier League matches, but he will shortly turn 31 and is entering the latter stages of his career.

Robinson is an emerging option. Almost 29, the Fulham defender offers distinct qualities: pace, a high work rate and notable attacking output for a full back. This past season is a poor example because of injury trouble, but he made 10 Premier League assists for Fulham in 2024–25. He is a more immediate, perhaps short-term profile than a younger long-term successor would be.

Newcastle’s Lewis Hall has been linked for some time. Sky Sports notes that interest in the 21-year-old continues with ongoing “monitoring,” but Robinson has appeared as the newer candidate. The two represent contrasting targets: Hall is younger and viewed as a potential long-term replacement, while Robinson might arrive to provide reliable depth behind Shaw for the next few seasons.

A comparison of key metrics underlines the difference. Robinson is listed at age 28 with 158 Premier League appearances, 18 combined goals and assists and 54 national team caps. Hall is 21 with 84 Premier League appearances, eight combined goals and assists, four national team caps and a later contract expiry. Transfer values cited in the comparison put Robinson at $25.3 million and Hall at $46.1 million.

Robinson is a United-type signing in profile: a fit, attack-minded full back who can slot in as cover and add quality on the flank. He is also a regular for his national team. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, ‘Jedi’ has played 54 times for the Stars and Stripes since debuting in 2018.

Should United move, the decision between immediate, experienced backup and a longer-term, more expensive prospect will shape the club’s left-back planning.

Manchester United have confirmed Jadon Sancho will depart the club on a free transfer when his contract expires, with the club choosing not to trigger an option that would have extended his stay. The decision comes after a difficult five years that will see Sancho join Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia among those leaving Old Trafford.

Sancho arrived in 2021 amid high expectation. At 21 he signed from Borussia Dortmund, where in three full seasons he had recorded 37 goals and 47 assists in just 92 league games. Those numbers helped frame the move as a coup at the time and fuelled hopes he would quickly adapt to English football.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s early endorsement was unequivocal. “He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom,” said Solskjær. That promise did not materialise: in 14 appearances under Solskjær, Sancho failed to record a goal or an assist as he struggled with the physical demands of the Premier League.

Pressure and off-field matters complicated matters further. Sancho deleted his social media accounts in November 2022 and Erik ten Hag later confirmed Sancho was dealing with “both physical and mental” challenges. Reports suggested the player had not given the club permission to go public with those issues, a development that soured an already strained relationship between player and manager.

Tensions peaked in September 2023 when Ten Hag said Sancho had been dropped for poor training; Sancho responded on social media, effectively accusing his manager of lying and claiming he was being made a “scapegoat.” After refusing to apologise, Sancho returned to Dortmund on loan for the remainder of the 2023–24 season and impressed as his temporary employers reached the Champions League final, including a standout semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain.

Subsequent loans to Chelsea and Aston Villa failed to produce a permanent transfer. Chelsea paid a financial penalty to walk back on an obligation to sign him permanently, and Sancho struggled to establish himself under Unai Emery at Villa. United have now allowed the forward to leave without a fee as his contract ends at the close of the month.