Manchester United have been forced back into the transfer market looking for midfield options, after being rejected by West Ham ace Mateus Fernandes.

The Red Devils were interested in a deal for the Portuguese star, but in the end, it was Tottenham who won the race for his signature, agreeing a transfer worth up to £85 million.

Those were figures that Man United weren’t willing to match, and the player quickly opted to join Spurs, with some final touches needed before the deal gets sealed.

It means Michael Carrick and his team will go back to the drawing board to look at other midfielders who could join the club instead.

So, with that said, here’s a look at five options Man United could consider for the midfield moving forward.

Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United)

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With Tottenham spending a lot on Fernandes, the path may now be clear for Man United to go and sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.

The Italian international appears open to an exit, and has shown plenty of quality during his time in the Premier League so far, and may offer exactly what the club need in an all-round midfielder.

There may be some concerns over a fee, considering it could reach £100 million, but the 26-year-old could bring some quality that has been missing in the middle of the park.

Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)

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Another Newcastle star who should be considered is Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian has arguably been more important to the Magpies than Tonali, providing plenty of quality as a box-to-box presence.

With just two years remaining on his contract, there could be an opportunity for Man United to seal a deal for a player entering the peak years of his career.

Guimaraes would add plenty of off-the-ball quality, while bringing some threat to the opposition box with the final-third chaos he is capable of causing.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

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If Man United want a different profile and look towards adding a number six to their midfield, then look no further than Adam Wharton.

The England international is the king of progressive passes, always looking to receive the ball from the backline before punching through balls to those in front of him.

Considering Man United’s verticality in their attacking play, Wharton would be an ideal addition for covering the deeper role, potentially freeing up a box-to-box presence next to him as well as Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced role.

Carlos Baleba

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Man United have historical interest in Carlos Baleba, and could revisit that once again this summer. The Brighton star was a target last summer, but Brighton ultimately turned down a late approach for the Cameroon international.

While he struggled in the campaign that followed, there is still plenty of quality and potential there for Baleba that United could tap into.

He could prove to be a much cheaper acquisition than some of the others, and could grow into the player that the club needs in the midfield for years to come.

Lucas Bergvall

With Tottenham bolstering their midfield, there is a potential exit on the cards for Lucas Bergvall this summer. The Swedish star has asked to leave the club in search of a new challenge, with the competition intensifying in his position.

While Spurs haven’t got the most out of him, the youngster has shown some quality and the potential to grow further, which clubs will be looking to tap into this summer.

Man United could be the beneficiaries of that, if they push for a deal. Bergvall may need some work and more experience to get to the top, but much like Baleba, he could grow into a star for the future.

FIFA have released a statement after Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann described a controversial VAR call as a ‘scandal’ during his side’s penalty shootout loss to Paraguay on Monday evening. Die Mannschaft are still struggling to get back on track in recent years, and a World Cup Round of 32 exit once again shocked the nation as Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah failed to convert from the spot.

The latter, however, is still wondering how his late goal during extra time didn’t help the Germans progress. Tah rose highest to glance a headed winner into the back of the net in the 12th minute, but after the referee was sent to the pitchside monitor to review the goal, defender Waldemar Anton was deemed to have impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

After the four-time winners were knocked out on penalties for the first time in their history, Nagelsmann looked back at the controversial call and labelled the decision to overturn it as a “scandal”. In response, FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina issued an explanation for the call.

FIFA Release Statement Explaining Germany’s Disallowed Winner vs Paraguay

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Winslow Townson

Via a FIFA statement, Collina said (watch the incident below): “Although keeping a position is not a foul per se, when an attacking player is not interested in the ball and deliberately moves, even marginally, with the clear intention of obstructing opponents’ movement and prevents him from defending, then referees, and VAR when needed, should carefully analyse the incident and intervene.”

Jurgen Klopp came out after the match and made a dig about how Arsenal would have gotten away with a goal like Germany’s, proving there’s a grey area between the rules for countries and clubs. While the ‘obstruction’ seems soft, though, the rules were followed appropriately by the referees.

Germany Only Have Themselves to Blame

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Nagelsmann can cry wolf all he wants, but the fact is that Germany can only blame themselves for another wretched tournament this summer. Monday was their first knockout game since the final in Brazil in 2014, when the Germans beat Argentina 1-0 to capture their fourth World Cup title.

The Germans were eliminated from the group stage at the past two World Cup tournaments, while Euro 2024 saw them knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Spain – the first time they had come up against one of the favourites of the tournament. It’s a sombre reality that they just aren’t as good as they used to be.

While this current squad has all the attacking ability, the togetherness of the dressing room seems worlds apart from the well-oiled machines of yesteryear. Nobody can quite be sure why that’s the case, but Nagelsmann’s constant fury on the touchline might be a good indicator.

Everton have been exploring the possibility of signing an Arsenal star this summer, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari, as they ramp up efforts to improve their forward lines.

The Toffees have been hard at work to land some new options for David Moyes, with Hayden Hackney set to join from Middlesbrough in a deal worth up to £25 million.

While he will improve the midfield, he is likely to be joined by Tyrique George, who is set to make his loan move from Chelsea permanent after the club agreed a fee below his original buyout clause in his deal.

Further additions could now follow up front, with Gabriel Jesus the latest to be linked with a move to Everton.

Everton Explore Gabriel Jesus Transfer

According to journalist Gianluigi Longari, Everton are now exploring a move for Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus as the next option to bolster the squad’s forward options.

The Brazilian striker has entered the final 12 months under contract at the Emirates Stadium, and could leave this summer, if clubs match the asking price set by the Gunners.

It’s claimed that the Toffees are only looking into a deal as things stand, and it’s unclear whether that will result in a firm bid made for the serial winner.

Jesus was a transformative signing for Arsenal when he made the switch from Manchester City, reflected in his £265,000-a-week wages that made him one of the top earners at the club.

The versatile star largely played as a centre-forward and added a mixture of skill and physicality that had been lacking from the team up to that point.

Arsenal quickly became title challengers, and while they finally got a bid over the line last season, Jesus has seen his influence slowly dwindle over time.

That has mainly been due to injury issues and a general decline in form that has stemmed from it. Now, he could leave Arsenal, with Everton hopeful he could have the same impact on them if he does move to Merseyside.

Gabriel Jesus Is A Risky Transfer Prospect

While Gabriel Jesus could offer plenty of quality, there is a real risk that comes with such a transfer for Everton heading into this summer’s market.

The forward has consistently struggled with injury issues, meaning his impact will need to be greater in the moments that he will be available for.

So far, the signs at Arsenal have shown little to suggest he could do that. Add onto that the fact that he is nearing the latter end of his peak years, and may ask for strong wages, and it creates a nightmare situation for a club like Everton if the move doesn’t work out.

Switching to young talent for the future may bring a greater deal of promise as well as upward mobility in the league. It remains to be seen whether the club will go ahead with a deal for Jesus, but it could prove a risky one.