Man Utd “discussing personal terms” to sign another Tevez

As Michael Carrick will be aware more than most, last season’s third-place finish was a sign of progress but nothing more than that, with mere Champions League qualification not a cause for celebration at Manchester United.

Even in these fallow, post-Sir Alex Ferguson years, United can’t let the standards and expectations slip too greatly, something the INEOS regime perhaps contributed to, in hindsight, by keeping Ruben Amorim on board following a worst-ever Premier League finish.

If there is to be anyone suited to maintaining the standards, it is that man Carrick, the Englishman notably part of one of the club’s greatest ever sides between 2006 and 2009, a team spearheaded by the attacking delights of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and latterly Carlos Tevez.

The Old Trafford side remain a far cry from those heady days, yet bit by bit, the club will be hoping to make the current crop a competitive outfit again, amid the ongoing search for signings.

Man Utd “discussing personal terms” for next summer signing

There’s a quiet calm to United right now, following the confirmation of Carrick’s permanent appointment last month, a sense of stability after such a turbulent few years under Amorim and Erik ten Hag.

A first signing has already been all-but confirmed for Atalanta’s Ederson, with the only real delay on that front likely to be caused by the Brazilian’s late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

There has also been talk of an approach for West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville, the Dutchman – who scored for the Netherlands against Japan last week – set to be available for around £50m following the Hammers’ recent relegation.

It is the 24-year-old’s club colleague, Mateus Fernandes, who remains United’s true priority, however, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting that INEOS are still in active talks to sign the Portuguese playmaker.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed the news that Tottenham Hotspur have now entered the race, after talks with the player’s agent, although it is the Red Devils who remain in “concrete conversations”.

The hope will be that the Old Trafford side still have the edge, having already been “discussing personal terms” with the 21-year-old, although this could be a deal to keep an eye on.

Why Fernandes could be an exciting Tevez repeat at Man Utd

Forking out a reported £80m fee for a player who has suffered back-to-back Premier League relegations may appear headscratching, but United have previous for plucking gems from struggling sides.

Back in 1993, for instance, a certain Roy Keane made the move from Nottingham Forest after their drop into the second tier, while more recently, the aforementioned Tevez was snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2007, after the Hammers had only narrowly secured survival.

At the time, the relentless Argentine was fresh off a stunning first season with the Hammers, rounding things off with a goal on the final day at Old Trafford in order to clinch safety for the Irons.

He did actually only score seven goals in 2006/07, all of which came from March onwards, yet the youngster’s talent was evident, having gone to a new level again when moving to Manchester.

The less said about what occurred in 2009, the better, but it’s difficult to argue with the South American’s return of 48 goals and assists in 99 games under Ferguson’s watch, even while not the star attraction behind Rooney and Ronaldo.

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In Fernandes’ case, the former Southampton man also boasts a similar workmanlike, or terrier-like quality to his game that could instantly endear him to the Old Trafford faithful, having been a shining light himself at the London Stadium last season.

While, unlike Tevez, he typically operates as a deep-lying midfielder, there is an almost old-fashioned, all-action style to Fernandes’ game, with his out-of-possession work seen in the fact that he averaged 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game in 2025/26 – ahead of Casemiro’s 3.5 average, for instance.

As there was with Tevez, there is still a rawness to his game – having made four errors leading to a shot in the Premier League – yet there’s also an end product to match, as seen in his solid return of seven goals and assists in all.

After recent years of witnessing the ageing legs of Casemiro or Christian Eriksen in midfield, Fernandes would provide a youthful injection of energy and mobility, offering a freshness that this team is crying out for.

It was signings like that of Tevez which helped to elevate Fergie’s team all those years ago, with the legendary Scot spotting a diamond in the rough even after the Argentine’s limited time in England previously.

It very much feels like a similar story could be on the cards with regard to Fernandes, this another sparkling Hammers talent who could well explode at an elite club next season.

Hopefully, he’s turning out in red rather than white come August.