Sheringham urges Manchester United to abandon Mateus Fernandes deal despite reported agreement

Teddy Sheringham has publicly urged Manchester United to abandon their reported pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes, warning his former club that signing the Portuguese youngster would represent another missed opportunity to recruit a genuinely elite player.

Fernandes has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, with reports claiming personal terms have already been agreed between the player and the club. Despite that apparent progress, Sheringham was unequivocal in his assessment.

“I wasn’t so impressed with Mateus Fernandes at West Ham last season,” Sheringham told ComeOn. “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.”

The former England striker drew a pointed comparison to United’s failure to land Harry Kane and Declan Rice, arguing the club has a recurring habit of settling for second-tier targets when the best players are available elsewhere.

“Manchester United need top players. They’ve already got enough decent players. They need to buy the top players or they will miss out again and again,” Sheringham said. “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. Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn’t have let that happen.”

Sheringham invoked the Ferguson era as the standard United must return to, insisting that only transformative signings can shift the club’s trajectory. “Sir Alex always brought in the top players and they came in and led by example. You need those top players at a club like United otherwise you’ll end up in the same situation. Go out and break the bank for the top players and let them lead.”

United are expected to be active in the transfer market this summer following Casemiro’s departure, with Manuel Ugarte also available for sale. Atalanta midfielder Ederson is understood to be set for a move to the club, while Fernandes remains one of several midfield options under consideration.