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Manchester United may have already secured Atalanta midfielder Ederson this summer, but the club continues to look for more reinforcements to strengthen their squad. The Red Devils are seeking the perfect successor to Casemiro, who will depart as a free agent at the end of this season.

Although Ederson is seen as a potential replacement for his fellow Brazilian at Old Trafford, recent reports indicate that United are also monitoring West Ham United’s Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes for the same role. Fernandes had an impressive campaign for the Hammers last season, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 39 matches across all competitions.

However, despite his strong performances, West Ham were relegated to the Championship. This development has intensified speculation surrounding Fernandes’ future. A recent report from The Peoples Person suggests that United have accelerated their pursuit of the player.

At the same time, Real Madrid are reportedly showing keen interest, with Jose Mourinho eager to bring his compatriot to the Santiago Bernabeu if he takes charge of the Spanish giants this summer. Fernandes’ former coach Vasco Seabra, who managed him during his loan spell at Estoril, has now shed light on what makes the midfielder such an attractive prospect for top clubs.

Speaking to Bola Branca, Seabra praised Fernandes’ ability to adapt and excel at higher levels of competition. He stated, “Mateus has demonstrated season after season that the higher the level he competes at, the better he performs.”

He further added, “I’m not entirely sure what level he will ultimately reach, but he’s definitely the kind of player who adds more value and quality to the team as the level of play increases.”

Addressing Real Madrid’s reported interest, Seabra continued, “He has great range, excellent technical skills, and he’s a player with both heart and intelligence. We always hoped—and I personally hoped—that he would reach the top level so quickly.”

He went on to admit, “That said, it would be unfair to claim that I expected him to be on Real Madrid’s radar just two years later. He was still very young when he came through our system.”

“I always believed he would reach Premier League quality quite soon. His mentality and daily commitment to improvement, even in training sessions, convinced me that he could achieve great things.”

According to Seabra, Fernandes is not someone who constantly seeks emotional reassurance; rather, he thrives when surrounded by people who trust and challenge him. Therefore, the potential presence of his fellow countryman Mourinho at Real Madrid might not necessarily offer any additional advantage for Los Blancos.

Nevertheless, Seabra acknowledged that Fernandes could further elevate his game under Mourinho’s guidance. He concluded, “Essentially, Mateus needs people who believe in him and push him to deliver his best.”

“I think someone like José Mourinho, who excels in communication, leadership, and managing players’ expectations and emotions—motivating and challenging them to improve—could form a partnership that benefits both immensely.”

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Manchester United may regret missing out on Fernandes if they fail to sign him this summer. The Portuguese midfielder is still developing but has the potential to be a transformative signing for INEOS and the club’s long-term project.