What Manuel Ugarte injury could mean for Man United’s Mateus Fernandes transfer plans
Mateus Fernandes continues to be linked with a West Ham United exit this summer.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are said to be the main contenders to sign the 21-year-old Portugal ace.
The Hammers have been steadfast in their £85million valuation of Fernandes, who joined from Southampton for a fee around £40m in the last summer window.
West Ham's relegation from the Premier League means Fernandes, also linked to Real Madrid, is one of the likely candidates to be sold to balance the books at the London Stadium.
Man United are looking to bolster their midfield options further after agreeing a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta.
But there were concerns that their plans for Fernandes could be scuppered by Manuel Ugarte's injury while representing Uruguay.
Man United transfer plans re-evaluated, but does it affect Fernandes deal?
Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ugarte had been one of the players expected to leave Old Trafford to raise new funds for transfers.
However, the 25-year-old sustained a knee ligament injury while playing for Uruguay against Spain at the World Cup on Friday.
That means Ugarte is likely going to remain Old Trafford beyond the summer transfer window.
However, the Athletic has reported that Man United's plans were not dependent on Ugarte leaving, and cost-cutting elsewhere means they are able to cope in the market.
The outlet states that the "immediate focus" remains on Fernandes, though they are still tracking other candidates.
Ugarte injury could scupper Summerville's Man United move, though
Fernandes is not the only Hammers ace who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Crysencio Summerville, who missed a penalty in a shoot-out as The Netherlands crashed out of the World Cup to Morocco on Monday, is reportedly on the Red Devils' radar, too.
The former Leeds United winger has been linked with a reported £50million move to United, though the likes of PSG and Aston Villa have been tipped.
However, the Athletic says that Ugarte's injury may cause a re-think on United's plans to bolster their options on the left flank.
Uncertaintly over the future of Marcus Rashford, back from a loan spell at Barcelona, could also through their pursuit of Summerville into doubt, with Man United said to be open to the idea of reintegrating him into Michael Carrick's squad.