Man Utd are “pushing like crazy” to sign another Hojlund

Right now when Manchester United feel ready to start, the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era often sees the club go backwards, as happened in the summer of 2023.

As in recent campaigns, there was hope at Old Trafford following a respectable third-place finish under Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman also winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final in his first season in charge.

Talk was rife that the ex-Ajax manager was targeting Harry Kane as his top target that summer, although amid concerns about dealing with Tottenham Hotspur’s Daniel Levy, that did not materialise, as the Red Devils turned to Rasmus Hojlund.

Aged just 20 at the time, Hojlund was also the subject of considerable interest from Paris Saint-Germain, and it was seen as a potential coup when United finally struck a £64m first-rate deal for the Atalanta star.

Fast forward two years, and he was on his way to Napoli on loan after a difficult spell in Manchester, it’s hard to shake the feeling that United overpaid for the Dane. Could the same happen again this summer?

Man United are “pushing like crazy” for a big-money signing

As in Hojlund’s case, United tend to favor youth over established players, which has been proven in recent years, and the same may be true of their ongoing search for midfield.

The likes of Bruno Guimaraes (28) and Sandro Tonali (26) appear to be on the list to leave Newcastle United, amid interest from Arsenal and Spurs, respectively, but INEOS do not appear to be in the market for the experienced pair.

Instead, since they missed Elliot Anderson, the summer shortlist focused on potential stars of the future, be it Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Carlos Baleba and, of course, Mateus Fernandes.

In the case of Fernandes, the Portuguese appears to have emerged as the club’s preferred choice, with Fabrizio Romano providing the latest on the ongoing battle for his signature.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that both United and Spurs are “crazy” to sign the 21-year-old, although there is no clear front-runner as things stand.

“Manchester United and Tottenham are still fighting. Tottenham has been trying to push with the player, pushing with his agent, but Manchester United is still in contact with West Ham. Man United is still working on Mateus Fernandes’ deal.

“So West Ham is clear to the player’s agent. The player will be sold for the best price to the club that offers the most money.

“…Many clubs are interested in Mateus Fernandes, but now May United and Tottenham are pushing like crazy to make a deal.”

It remains to be seen whether INEOS will agree to part with Fernandes’ reported £80m price.

Why the signing of Fernandes could have shades of Hojlund

In 2023, as noted above, Kane felt like a target, however United were either unwilling or unable to cough up the necessary cash, instead forced to watch the Englishman reach the highest heights at Bayern Munich.

Then there is the similarity this summer, with the aforementioned Anderson, now partnering Kane on the international stage, once a star player for INEOS, only for United to pull out of a bid from rivals Manchester City.

Perhaps there has never been a match for City’s financial prowess, amid its £116m signings, although sometimes, like Kane, top players simply demand top price tags.

To think at the time that United now have to pay more than £80m for Fernandes, a 21-year-old player who has just been relegated twice in a row, may have alarm bells ringing, such a large sum for a player in the early stages of his career.

Competing with Spurs is a sign of his talent, however that doesn’t always equate to good business. Of course, United have met City with deals such as Alexis Sanchez and Fred, two men who did not thrive at Old Trafford.

As already mentioned in Hojlund again, the same interest from PSG has increased the level of interest, but it is also likely to increase the price tag, with United forced to shell out a large fee for the player who cost Atalanta for £ 15m last year.

In the case of Fernandes, the former Southampton star only moved to east London 12 months ago for around half that price now.

Initially, United may have viewed this as a potential bargain following the Hammers’ relegation, however with the auction now underway, there is a risk of the Championship playing.

£80m feels steep considering Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo fetched £62.5m and £65m respectively last year, with the pair having scored 35 Premier League goals between them in 2024/25.

Growing up with young talent has rarely proved fruitful for the Red Devils of late, be it in relation to Jadon Sancho, Antony or Hojlund, the Danish striker who ended up scoring 26 goals in 95 games in all competitions.

That’s not to say young Fernandes may not break out in Manchester, having scored and assisted seven goals last season, but is there enough evidence to suggest he warrants such a fee?

As it was in 2023, there is an opportunity for United to go ahead and improve the club – taking an expensive gamble on youth may not be the way to go about it.