Manchester United are set to make an opening offer to sign an ‘elite’ star, according to Sky Sports.

It’s been an exciting start to the summer transfer window for United fans, with a host of top-level players being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

It’s no surprise that United are looking to strengthen all across the pitch as they look to back new manager Michael Carrick after giving him a permanent deal.

The former Middlesbrough boss guided United to a Champions League finish, getting them back into Europe, where they’ll feel they belong.

With Champions League football comes the need to invest in the squad, not only to deal with the stronger opponents but also the extra fixtures.

Man Utd Preparing Opening Bid

via Reuters

According to a report from Sky Sports News, Manchester United are preparing to make an opening offer for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Reporting live on air, Sky Sports confirmed the ‘significant’ news with Fernandes identified as their priority target.

Fernandes, described as ‘elite’, could cost in the region of £85 million, while United are in contact with both West Ham and the agent of the Portuguese midfielder.

West Ham are always going to find it difficult to keep hold of Fernandes heading into the summer transfer window after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.

Man Utd Aren’t Messing Around This Window

Manchester United are certainly not messing around in the summer transfer window, with Brazilian midfielder Ederson closing in on a move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are clearly looking to add more bodies in the middle of the park, especially after it was confirmed that Casemiro would be leaving the club.

Attention could turn to bringing in new additions in other positions if they also confirm the signing of Fernandes from West Ham.

The Manchester club could look to bring in new forwards and defenders, but it’s clear that they prioritised strengthening their midfield options heading into the window.

Across his glittering career as both a player and a manager, Pep Guardiola has worked alongside some of the greatest players to ever step foot on the pitch.

Guardiola shared a pitch with the likes of Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo, before coaching names such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

As a result, when Pep singles a player out for praise, it’s a strong endorsement. This is especially true when it involves a member of the opposition.

Guardiola “Realised How Good” Talented Player Was

After his Manchester City side beat Southampton 2-1 in November 2017, Guardiola was such a big admirer of one Saints player that he made sure to compliment him after the final whistle.

Pep remembered Southampton winger Nathan Redmond from when the two sides met the year prior. The Birmingham-born speedster had previously tormented City, scoring in the 1-1 draw between the teams at the Etihad in October 2016.

A little over 12 months later, Pep cut an animated figure as he had a passionate discussion with Redmond on the touchline. Their interaction was so eye-catching that Guardiola was asked to explain what he had said to the player.

“I told Redmond how good a player he is. Last season he destroyed us here. I didn’t know him last season, I realised how good he is.”

Player Who ‘Destroyed’ Man City Never Lived Up to Guardiola’s Lofty Praise

Redmond was a regular for England in age-group football and was honoured as England’s Under-21 Player of the Year in 2016. However, he never made the permanent leap to the senior side.

He made his England debut just months after he first impressed Guardiola. He came on for Adam Lallana as a 66th minute substitute. He was named in the squad to face Lithuaina four days later, but never made it on to the pitch for his country again.

With the Three Lions blessed with attacking options out wide at the time, Redmond was in direct competition with the likes of a prime Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Lallana and others.

Although Pep was a fan, then-England boss Gareth Southgate wasn’t quite as taken with the Southampton man. Redmond’s prospects weren’t helped by the fact that the Southampton side he was a part of got progressively worse as time went on.

He would remain on the south coast until September 2022, when he moved to Besiktas in Turkey. He would return to England within 12 months, joining Burnley on a two-year deal.

His international dreams were already dashed by the time he left Turf Moor in May 2025 when his contract expired. Redmond would then join beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday for a three-game stint.

Now 32, he most recently played for Blackburn Rovers, making two appearances at Ewood Park. He will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next month.

The 2026 World Cup is now underway, but a second team has seen its preparations interrupted by FIFA’s strict kit regulations.

First, Haiti were ordered to remove an image depicting a war scene from their shirt before their opening World Cup game against Scotland. The kit was deemed too ‘political’ and therefore didn’t fit into FIFA’s strict parameters.

Now, a second nation has been told they must make significant changes to their jersey before even kicking a ball at the United States, Canada and Mexico-based tournament.

FIFA Reject World Cup Kit Design at Last Minute

Ken Blaze (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Mohamed Salah’s Egypt are the latest team to be punished for not meeting FIFA’s rules in a new crackdown. The Pharaohs will face Belgium in their first Group G match on Monday, before then playing against Iran and New Zealand.

However, they’ll have to do so without the seven stars they normally have above their crest. Egypt proudly don the stars to symbolise how many times they’ve won the Africa Cup of Nations. But football’s governing body has deemed that unsuitable for the World Cup.

New guidelines state that only World Cup wins can be recognised on shirts being worn during the competition. That means continental trophies such as AFCON, European Championship or Copa America titles cannot be shown in the form of a star.

That’s not the only change the African nation will have to make. The gold numbers and writing have also been rejected by FIFA. Competition officials decided the metallic gold numerals weren’t suitable for visibility reasons.

This will be their fourth appearance at World Cup finals, having most recently played in the 2018 group stages. Due to the teams in their group and the fact more teams advance, Egypt will be hoping to reach the knockout rounds this time around.

Only Eight Nations Allowed Stars on Their Shirt

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Due to the guidelines allowing only countries that have won the World Cup to don stars on their shirts, it means only eight nations can do so. One of them, Italy, isn’t even at this year’s competition after failing to qualify.

Brazil (5), Germany (4) and Argentina (3) are the other most successful nations on the biggest international stage, and will all have multiple stars on their kits this summer. France and Uruguay will be allowed to have two stars, while England and Spain have both won the World Cup once each.