Man United signed three midfielders – but not the one Bruno Fernandes ‘really likes’

Manchester United splashed out on three new midfield recruits this summer, but there’s one midfielder in particular that Bruno Fernandes rates highly

Manchester United added Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba to their midfield this summer, but there remains one Premier League talent Bruno Fernandes is particularly fond of. United signed the trio for a combined £155million.

The Portuguese star singled out Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as his player to watch – a midfielder who has already been linked with a move to Old Trafford. Scott has become a fixture in the Cherries’ midfield, with the club refusing to sanction his departure during the summer transfer window.

Chelsea made a late push to sign the 23‑year‑old – having already seen a £64m bid rejected earlier in the summer and even made him their No.1 choice to replace Enzo Fernandez. But Bournemouth stood firm on not selling one of their prized assets.

United, Arsenal and Liverpool also tracked the England prospect, widely regarded as one of the country’s most gifted ball‑playing midfielders. Scott was unlucky to miss out on England’s World Cup squad, and Fernandes, who collected his PFA Players’ Player of the Year award last week was then asked which player he’d like to see claim the honour next.

“There’s always a lot [of exciting players],” the Reds captain replied. “There is one player that I really like and that is Alex Scott from Bournemouth.

“Obviously you always know that the big teams get looked at a little bit more than other teams but I think what he did last season was great. I think he’s someone that could easily be up for that [the PFA Team of the Year].”

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Scott has rejected a new contract at Bournemouth and is now into the final two years of his current deal – a situation that has alerted clubs to the possibility of striking a move. The Cherries signed Scott from Bristol City for £25m three years ago.

Bournemouth could make at least four times their original investment, with Scott now viewed as a £100m‑calibre midfielder.