Teddy Sheringham has urged his former club Manchester United to abandon their pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, despite reports that personal terms have been agreed between the two parties. The former England striker expressed doubts about Fernandes' quality after watching his performances at the London Stadium.
Sheringham's Verdict on Fernandes
Speaking to ComeOn, Sheringham said: "I wasn't so impressed with Mateus Fernandes at West Ham last season. A lot of West Ham fans think he'll go on to bigger and better things but the jury's still out for me on Fernandes. Manchester United need top players. They've already got enough decent players."
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Portuguese midfielder, with Tottenham Hotspur also competing for his signature. Sheringham believes United should focus on elite talent rather than good players, drawing comparisons to past missed opportunities.
United's Midfield Overhaul
Manchester United are expected to strengthen their midfield this summer following Casemiro's departure, with Manuel Ugarte also available for transfer. Atalanta's Ederson is set to complete a £38 million move to Michael Carrick's squad after the World Cup. Fernandes is among a host of targets including Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott, and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Sheringham added: "They need to buy the top players or they will miss out again and again. It was the same with Harry Kane and Declan Rice a few years ago when the chance was there to go and sign them. United were nowhere in the market for them." He emphasized that Sir Alex Ferguson would not have let such opportunities slip, stating: "Sir Alex always brought in the top players and they came in and led by example."
West Ham's Demands and Spurs' Interest
West Ham are demanding approximately £85 million for their midfielder, who was relegated with the club. According to The Times, Tottenham are prepared to exceed United's offer, giving them confidence in securing Fernandes' signature. The potential sale of Lucas Bergvall, who has requested to leave this summer, is believed to have strengthened Spurs' financial position.
Roberto De Zerbi's side are also pursuing Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, a development that could offer United renewed optimism in their pursuit of Fernandes. Thousands of fans upgraded their Premier League matchday experience last season through official packages available at Seat Unique.
