Manchester United are pressing ahead with their summer rebuild as the club's hierarchy seeks to strengthen the squad. Michael Carrick is reportedly close to signing Ederson, though the deal has stalled after the midfielder's call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad.
Ederson is just one of several targets on United's radar. While the World Cup may cause delays as players focus on international duty, developments continue on multiple fronts. Two players sharing the same surname have dominated recent headlines. Here is a roundup of the latest news from Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes Shows Support for Rafael Leao
United captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly backed reported target Rafael Leao after the AC Milan winger was sent off in Portugal's World Cup warm-up friendly. Leao received a straight red card for striking Chile's Ivan Roman in the face.
In an Instagram post following the incident, Leao wrote: "Regarding my sending off, I simply wanted to protect my teammate and never intended to hurt the opponent. Thank you to all the Portuguese fans who were at Jamor; the atmosphere was incredible. We move forward together."
While some captains might have criticised the player for leaving the team short-handed, Fernandes responded with a simple yet powerful message: "Together." The reply underscored the skipper's solidarity with his compatriot amid scrutiny over Leao's lack of composure.
Leao, 26, is widely expected to leave Milan after a difficult season. He has hinted at seeking a new challenge, telling Sport TV: "I need a new challenge. In Italy, the league is evolving, but for my style of football, the Premier League or La Liga would better showcase my talent." He added: "If the opportunity in the Premier League were to come my way, I would be very happy."
Mateus Fernandes Update: Real Madrid Enter Race
West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is also in the spotlight. The 21-year-old was a target for United, but Real Madrid's interest could complicate matters. Florentino Perez's re-election as Real Madrid president on Sunday has paved the way for Jose Mourinho's return as manager, and reports suggest Los Blancos will target Fernandes this summer.
West Ham's relegation from the Premier League weakens their bargaining position, though they still value Fernandes at around £80 million. United could attempt to outbid Real Madrid, but the player's preference may prove decisive.
Fernandes joined West Ham from Southampton last summer for over £40 million. After just one season, he is attracting interest from Europe's elite clubs, and a move away appears increasingly likely.
