'Choices were made' - £80million Man Utd midfield target was once previously sold by Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim once sold Manchester United's top summer transfer target and he's set to cost the club millions.

Following an impressive end of the the season under Michael Carrick, Manchester United are now guaranteed to be playing in the Champions League next season.

Because of this, the club will have a massively increased transfer budget to spend in the upcoming summer window, with several key players expected to be bought ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

United also have to decide it they want to appoint Carrick on a permanent basis or decide on a new manager to take over in the summer.

But conversations are already taking place, involving Carrick, over potential new signings - and one player that continues to be linked with the club is West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

United captain Bruno Fernandes is said to have recommended his Portugal teammate and namesake to United chiefs - and it would come as another blow to Amorim, who was made to sell Fernandes as a youngster at Sporting.

Breaking through in 2022, Fernandes was one of 27 academy graduates to be given their debut by Amorim, but he made just 10 appearances for the senior team before being sold to Southampton for £15million in 2024.

Speaking at the time, Amorim said: “Obviously, we have to sell.

“What we lost is a very valuable young player who, in my opinion, has the characteristics to be a great player. But choices were made.

“Mateus was a player who cost us a lot, but when the board asked me if we can lose [Goncalo] Inacio, I say no. If we can lose Morten [Hjulmand], I say no. When they ask me if we have to hold on to Viktor [Gyokeres], I say we have to hold on to Viktor.

“Then, we have to sell. We really wanted to keep Mateus. Honestly, I also think Mateus would have liked to stay, despite having a great contract and going to a big league. It was a difficult moment for everyone, but we have to make choices.

“In the end, I, as the coach, also make them.”

How much are West Ham demanding for Fernandes?

Fernandes made 46 appearances for Southampton before leaving the club to join West Ham United for a fee of around £42million last summer.

Now, less than a year later, it is believed the London club are reluctant to let him the club and would only entertain doing so for double the fee they paid to sign him.

United are willing to walk away from targets as part of their efforts to achieve financial stability, and it remains to be seen whether they would be willing to go as high as £80million for Fernandes with other players on the midfield shortlist.

But, of course, West Ham's asking price could be hugely impacted by their ongoing fight to stay in the Premier league as relegation would force them to sell at least one of their big name players, likely for a reduced price.