Man Utd hold talks to sign £80m English star

Manchester United haven’t enjoyed the fast-paced start to the summer transfer window that fans will have hoped for, but it’s clear INEOS have steered away from the scattergun spending that yielded poor results for so many years.

There is a lot of work still to be done, but United are in a good place under Michael Carrick’s management, with the former midfielder securing passage into the Champions League last season – and against all odds at that.

If United can match the level they produced under Carrick across the second half of 2025/26, there is nothing to suggest that they cannot challenge for the Premier League title. Manchester City have just parted with Pep Guardiola, Liverpool are in transition, and Arsenal face a new fight in retaining their title.

However, it’s patently clear that the Red Devils still need new parts, especially in midfield, and even as a deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is finalised.

Ederson will add some meat to the bones of Carrick’s Manchester United midfield, stripped of Casemiro’s experience and quality now that he has departed on a free transfer.

It was the right time for the Brazilian veteran to leave, but United still need to sign another midfielder to complement and rival Ederson.

There was hope that United would close a deal for Mateus Fernandes, but instead, the Portuguese prospect has left West Ham United and signed for Tottenham Hotspur for £85m.

It’s a tough one to take, but INEOS have already licked their wounds and moved on, with a potential upgrade on the 21-year-old in their sights. Chelsea’s Andrey Santos has been targeted in a surprise move but he’s not the only Premier League-proven player on their radar.

According to transfer reporter Nizaar Kinsella, “Bournemouth have had direct contact” with Manchester United of late, with the Red Devils hoping to sign Alex Scott ahead of the new campaign.

Arsenal and Manchester City have also made approaches, and while the Cherries have asserted that Scott is not for sale, they are hoping to tie him down to a new contract that will open up a potential £80m financial bid.

Scott, 22 years old, is developing into one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League. Missing out on Fernandes was a blow, to be sure, but one which Carrick will overcome if landing Scott instead.

Why Scott can be better than M. Fernandes for Man Utd

Scott has grown into a formidable midfielder for Bournemouth, instrumental in charging Andoni Iraola’s now-vacated system. The Cherries qualified for the Europa League last season with a sixth-place Premier League finish, and Scott’s influence has seen him lauded as a “special talent” by Cherries teammate Lewis Cook.

There is little to differentiate Scott and Fernandes. They both have their own perks and quirks in the middle of the park, but the key point is that these young and athletic midfielders would add a dimension otherwise lacking at Old Trafford.

In fact, Scott may lack a little of Fernandes’ combative strength, but he is arguably more intelligent and more dynamic when on the ball and progressing play forward.

One United-focused content creator even claimed that he “looked like prime [Roy] Keane” at times last season, so in fairness, it’s fair to say that he does have the defensive skillset to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams.

Curiously, the respective Premier League midfielders share a number of attributes, and while Scott is a little less intense, he still brings the skills required to allow United to challenge for silverware.

If Carrick gets his hands on a Keane-esque midfield prospect, there is every chance that he will end up playing a significant role in the coming phase at Old Trafford.

Judging from his performances over the past few years at Bournemouth, Scott has the potential to become a superstar, one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, perhaps Europe.