Dream Baleba alternative: Amorim leading Man Utd chase to sign £30m CM

Manchester United's season begins this weekend, with Ruben Amorim's side welcoming Arsenal to Old Trafford for a fiery curtain-raising clash in the Premier League.

So much hinges on this campaign for United, who have emerged from a disastrous year of struggle: slumping, losing Erik ten Hag, appointing Amorim, plummeting further, finishing 15th, losing the Europa League final.

But INEOS and Jason Wilcox have refashioned the frontline and remain intent on bolstering further. Gianluigi Donnarumma has been targeted, though is also in Manchester City's sights, but it's an all-action midfield player who Amorim feels would have the most significant impact on his side.

Man United's chase for new midfielder

Man United's interest in Carlos Baleba has been well-documented across the past few weeks, with the Brighton & Hove Albion star viewed as the perfect long-term option to complete Amorim's midfield.

However, Baleba remains in first-team training with the Seagulls, who are going to resist with full force the Man United advances.

With much uncertainty around the 21-year-old's signature, a different Premier League star has been earmarked too.

Indeed, according to talkSPORT's Alex Crook, Amorim is a big admirer of Southampton talent Mateus Fernandes, who was one of the relegated side's standout players last season.

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West Ham United are felt to have the lead in the battle, having opened talks with the south coast club, but United could surely sway the odds in their favour, should they raise their interest.

Southampton will demand in excess of £30m.

What Mateus Fernandes would bring to Man United

The 21-year-old Fernandes shone despite Saints' woes last year, and he's been described as having the tools to become the "ultimate Premier League midfielder" by former pro Jo Tessem.

Having joined Southampton from Sporting Lisbon for a smart £15m fee last summer, he has featured 44 times in total, starring across his outfit's opening two matches of the current campaign, this time in England's second tier.

Given that he is available for a portion of the price required for Baleba's signature, Fernandes might be the perfect fallback, perhaps even a more prudent and economical signing - one which might still bloom ripe results for Amorim's resurgence-seeking side.

PL 24/25 - Fernandes vs Baleba Stats (per 90) Fernandes Baleba Goals 0.06 0.10 Assists 0.12 0.03 Touches 54.45 57.40 Pass completion 79.9% 87.4% Progressive passes 4.49 3.99 Shot-creating actions 2.41 2.23 Progressive carries 2.35 1.45 Successful take-ons 1.52 1.12 Ball recoveries 5.54 6.66 Tackles + interceptions 3.62 4.23 Blocks 1.33 1.59 Duels won 5.8 5.9 Data via FBref

We are not, of course, advocating Fernandes as being a midfielder of superiority; Baleba has been valued in excess of £100m after all. However, there's an exciting player in this Portuguese prospect, one who shares some of the Cameroonian's tactical strengths and has plenty of room for development.

There's a case to be made that Fernandes has a bit more completeness about his game. Given the trammels that were imposed on his skill set by a lifeless Southampton side, constantly weighted down by their opponents, he did a rather good job, protecting his backline as best he could while pushing play forward too.

With impressive strength and precision in front of goal, the rising talent truly might have the skill set to become the "perfect midfielder", as has been noted by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Though Baleba is the talk of the town and is perhaps further down the line in his development than Fernandes, the latter man weathered a harsh storm at St. Mary's Stadium last year and still managed to make a good impression.

His steely presence and underrated technical game suggest he could prove a shrewd signing indeed.

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