Manchester United are said to be in talks with an attacker who has impressed in the Premier League and World Cup this season. Much has been made of United’s search for a new holding midfielder over recent weeks, with Michael Carrick searching for a replacement for Casemiro to add to the signing of Ederson early in the summer.

But Carrick also has other needs, and he is hoping to add another attacker to his squad before the start of the season, with more competition needed if the Red Devils are to climb into the title conversation and make an impact in the Champions League next season.

That search for a new attacker appears to have led them to another West Ham star after their failed pursuit of Mateus Fernandes

Man Utd begin talks with Summerville

via Reuters

GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs has reported that United have opened talks with West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville over a possible deal. Jacobs posted on X: “Exclusive: Manchester United open talks with West Ham over Crysencio Summerville. Direct club-to-club contact. Classified by Manchester United sources as exploratory at this stage, but the Dutch winger high in #MUFC thinking. Any bid could be contingent on Marcus Rashford.”

Rashford is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, carrying a reported asking price of £40million, but his future is not likely to be resolved before the end of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Summerville is set to cost around £50million this summer, and United could actually be helped by Tottenham’s £85million signing of Fernandes ahead of them, given the Hammers are now in an incredibly strong financial position as they prepare for life back in the Championship.

Summerville has earned his big move

Summerville was one of the standouts in a poor West Ham side last season, scoring seven and providing five assists, while he continued his good form in the World Cup with the Netherlands. The winger scored twice and provided two assists for the Dutch in their ill-fated campaign, with Ronald Koeman’s men losing on penalties in the Round of 32 against Morocco.

After Summerville came off the bench to win an FA Cup tie for West Ham last season, Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We knew that [we might need him], especially after we thought we might go to extra time. There were tired legs and we needed energy. Summerville helped us a lot.

“He’s doing a good job. He’s in a good moment. Forward players need this confidence, and he has that one-v-one [ability]. When he can use it in [these kinds of] spaces, he’s almost unstoppable.”

Portugal are through to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 after winning perhaps the most dramatic game of the competition so far against Croatia.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side are among the favourites to win the competition, but fell behind early in the second half to an Ivan Perisic strike. Ronaldo then stepped up to smash home a penalty to level things up before being taken off by Roberto Martinez.

Goncalo Ramos, leading the line in CR7’s absence, headed home the eventual winner. However, there was late controversy as Croatia believed they’d forced the game to extra time with a last-gasp equaliser.

Ex-Official’s Strong Verdict on Portugal vs Croatia Drama

Dylan Martinez via Reuters

The ball was forced home by Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol in the 13th minute of stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations from Croatian supporters and players. But there was still a heartbreaking twist to come for Luka Modric and his teammates.

Referee Espen Eskas was urged by VAR officials to head to the monitor to give his verdict on a potential offside decision. It was incredibly hard to tell if the Croatia player got a touch on the ball before it landed at the feet of Mario Pasalic, leading up to the goal.

If it had taken a Croatian touch, then the goal would have been ruled offside. If it was judged to have missed the attacking player, then the game was heading for 30 more minutes. The Norwegian official opted for the former. Watch the controversy below.

It was an unusual situation to see a referee called to the screen to look at an offside call, but it came down to Eskas’ interpretation. Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann, who is working with BBC Sport throughout the summer, gave his thoughts on the incident.

Presenter Mark Chapman revealed he’d received a text message from the retired official, which stated that the referee’s decision was absolutely correct. He said:

Sensors within the ball determined that the attacking player flicked the ball on, and that meant his teammate was offside. Cann explained that the ‘snicko’ graphic viewers could see on-screen as the VAR check went on proved beyond doubt that the Croatia player got a touch. See the image below.

“That 100% proves that he touched it with the flick on,” he said. When asked by Chapman if he was sure there had been a touch, the ex-assistant replied: “Yes, I can tell 100%.”

One of Portugal’s main men has been called out for underperforming at this year’s World Cup despite his nation’s thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Croatia.

All the talk ahead of the game had been about former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric meeting. One of them would be calling time on their international careers if their country were knocked out.

Croatia took the lead through Ivan Perisic in the 53rd minute after he calmly found the back of Diogo Costa’s net. Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot before being brought off by Roberto Martinez.

Portugal sealed a late comeback victory courtesy of a superb Goncalo Ramos header in the 90+4th minute. Their World Cup campaign continues, but there are huge question marks over one of their star players.

Portugal 2-1 Croatia: We need to talk about Bruno

Rodrigo Antunes via Reuters

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have all lived up to their billing as the best players in the world. Bruno Fernandes entered the World Cup placed into similar conversation after a stunning season with Manchester United.

Fernandes broke the all-time assist record in a single Premier League campaign and looked set to be the talisman for Portugal. He has looked a shadow of the domineering playmaker who came up with 21 assists in 35 games.

The 31-year-old may well feel he does his best work with a team built around him, as is the case at United. That isn’t the case at international level, as he’s surrounded by the likes of Vitinha and Joao Neves.

Even so, Fernandes has failed to impress during Portugal’s campaign and his lackluster displays haven’t gone unnoticed. He endured a quiet night at Toronto Stadium, failing to get a foothold in the game before being subbed off on the hour mark.

Fans slam ‘horrible’ Fernandes

Jeenah Moon via Action Images via Reuters

While most criticism of Portugal throughout the World Cup has been about Ronaldo’s starting role, there are some who feel Fernandes has been a letdown. The United midfielder is starting to draw the ire of fans for a dissapointing campaign.

One fan wrote: “Bruno when there’s nothing on the line is amazing but when you need him and it’s a big game he’s genuinely woeful. We’ve literally seen this at United since the day he’s signed.”

Another supporter gave a brutal assessment: “Bruno Fernandes is a DISGRACE.”

One added: “Also I am going to sound like a hater but Bruno has been horrendous all tournament. He really needs to step up here. Of course CR7 is the fall guy but Bruno has to take some heat too surely?”

Another wrote: “I don’t understand the bruno fernandes that plays for portugal bro this is an entire different player.”

One responded: “ANOTHER Bruno stinker ! Been horrible all World Cup.”

Fernandes has been a mainstay in the Portugal team since the tournament began and will be eager to bounce back next time out. His country face Spain in the Round of 16 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.