On 1 July (Beijing time), Manchester Evening News reported that Manchester United declined to pay premium prices for Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes.

Manchester United is now placing greater emphasis on player valuations, an approach that deserves credit in many respects. The club has its own price assessments for players and does not compromise easily. When Manchester City tabled a nine-figure offer for Elliot Anderson, Manchester United walked away; now, after Tottenham Hotspur agreed to pay €85 million for Matheus Fernandes, Manchester United has chosen to step back once again.

Of course, there are other factors at play. Anderson has made clear his desire to join Manchester City, and Fernandes also appears reluctant about the prospect of joining Old Trafford alone.

From a business perspective, Manchester United's approach makes sense. Given the midfield transfer market in recent years, Anderson's price could be considered close to fair value, but Fernandes is harder to justify in the same way. After Southampton and West Ham United were relegated in successive seasons, his track record remains insufficiently solid. While this 21-year-old possesses potential, converting potential into consistent performances is not always straightforward, and Manchester United would need to invest substantial funds to do so.

At this price point, the club would certainly expect more. Fernandes may not be able to deliver it, and he may not be the type of midfielder who can immediately transform the situation and make Manchester United genuine title contenders next season.

The question now is where Manchester United will turn next. Their two primary targets have moved to other Premier League clubs, and both deals will further distort the market.

Just as Nottingham Forest could use the €115 million Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo as a reference point, or the €105 million Arsenal spent on Declan Rice in July 2023 as a benchmark, West Ham United can now fully use Anderson's €116 million transfer as the basis for evaluating Fernandes.

So when Manchester United considers stepping up their interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, or returns to Brighton to attempt to sign Moisés Caicedo, they may find that valuations have risen another tier. That is how the market works now.

Looking back, Manchester United's most glaring midfield mistake in recent years may have been their failure to push harder to complete a deal before Declan Rice joined Arsenal. Manchester United has long admired this England international and watched him shine against West Ham United at Old Trafford for years.

Rice was open to joining Manchester United at that time, but the deal never materialized.

Had Manchester United taken a more aggressive approach then, the transfer likely would have happened. If so, Rice and Kobbie Mainoo would almost certainly now form a long-term, stable, and successful partnership in midfield for Manchester United.

The reality, however, is that Manchester United is still searching for a new midfield partner for Mainoo. Casemiro has departed, and Mikel Merino will join from Real Sociedad, but the club initially expected another big name. Now it has become more difficult, and this summer's midfield transfers have pushed the market even higher. Manchester United remains steadfast in its valuations and determined not to be swayed by rivals, but finding a midfielder "bargain" at a price the club deems acceptable may now be as difficult as finding a unicorn.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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