Manchester United are expected to be active in the summer transfer window regardless of who is their head coach, with two new central midfielders at the top of their wishlist
Manchester United are said to view Morgan Rogers as Bruno Fernandes' long-term successor, with the future of their influential captain still not set in stone.
The Portugal playmaker has enjoyed an extraordinary campaign and has been a leading light in United's renaissance under Michael Carrick, who has guided the club back to the Champions League after winning 10 of the 14 Premier League games he has overseen in an interim capacity. But noises over Fernandes' future beyond this summer have resurfaced in recent weeks.
After rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia last year, renewed transfer interest in the 31-year-old could materialise off the back of his imperious form, while it is understood Fernandes has expressed a desire to challenge for the biggest trophies. United are hopeful they can keep him by showing ambition in the summer window.
Rogers is one genuine target with United keen on strengthening the left-hand side of their attack. However, the Aston Villa player has also been earmarked as Fernandes' heir in the No 10 role, per The Telegraph.
With United hopeful of persuading their captain to lead them back into the Champions League next season, it would likely mean that Rogers would primarily play off the left if the Red Devils do go on to strike a deal for the sought-after England star.
There are no shortage of clubs lurking in the background when it comes to Rogers, though, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain also admirers of the former Middlesbrough attacker.
The report also outlines that Manchester United are interested in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes as they continue to lay out plans for a midfield overhaul ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
At least two central midfielders are likely to be signed by United with only Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo central to their plans moving forward. The latter signed a new five-year contract last week after bulldozing his way back into the first-team under Carrick.
Fernandes joined West Ham for an initial £38million last summer and has managed to enhance his reputation despite the team's struggles in the relegation battle. Dropping into the Championship would significantly weaken the Hammers' bargaining position, with Nuno Espirito Santo's side currently primed from relegation with just three league games remaining.
Elliot Anderson is another summer target for United, with Manchester City also strongly courting the Nottingham Forest midfielder after a stellar season. Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni is also on United's shortlist, as is Carlos Baleba of Brighton.