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Paul Scholes says £85m midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who turned down Manchester United, will struggle badly at Tottenham Hotspur
Sameer Bhatia | September 10, 2026 3:33 PM CST

Paul Scholes believes Mateus Fernandes will not succeed at Tottenham Hotspur after turning down the opportunity to join Manchester United and play under manager Michael Carrick.

Manchester United were keen to sign Fernandes from West Ham United during the summer transfer window.

The Portugal international midfielder was on the market after being relegated from the Premier League with West Ham.

Fernandes had also been relegated to the Championship with Southampton the previous season.

In spite of Manchester United’s interest in the 22-year-old, he eventually completed a move to Tottenham.

The north London side paid West Ham £85m to bring in the young midfielder.

Fernandes later explained why he chose Tottenham instead of Manchester United.

The midfielder told The Athletic: “The desire of playing for a big club, winning games, to fight for the Premier League, for the title.

“The way he [De Zerbi] spoke with me and my family was very important for me.

“He was calling me every day, so I’m very happy to work with him, and hopefully we can do great things.

“It was more about (forming a) connection, because my dad and my mum don’t speak English very well.

“It was more about feelings.

“He said he would take care of me, that he would be my second dad in England.

“I’m very happy to work with him.”

Manchester United legend Scholes has now shared his verdict on Fernandes and said that the youngster will flop at Tottenham.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football when asked whether Fernandes joining Tottenham would be a hit or a miss, Scholes said: “I think I am going to say miss with this one.

“Do you know what?

“I have not seen an awful lot of him, so I am guessing a little bit.

“I don’t think, as I have not seen his name in the first few weeks of the season, and I think he did get actually relegated the last two years.

“I am not saying that’s his fault, but he was part of Southampton.

“Yeah, I think he was part of Southampton and West Ham.

“So, twice in two years he has been relegated.

“I am going to say miss on that one.”

Scholes’ former Manchester United team-mate Nicky Butt said: “I think he’s a fantastic player.

“I think he’s very talented.

“At West Ham, when I watched the game live, I thought, ‘Wow, this boy is a real top, top player’.

“I think the club that he’s in at the minute is just not a club that I would want to go in and play for at the minute.


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