Mateus Fernandes: Tottenham agree £85m deal for West Ham midfielder

It became clear that Fernandes was open-minded about where he would go, with his agent Jorge Mendes speaking to both Tottenham and Manchester United.

Manchester United maintains the position of only being willing to buy players at the value they think is right.

They liked Fernandes but felt their attitude was rewarded last season when they believed patience would be rewarded with the right players arriving at the right price.

United were not convinced that Fernandes really wanted to play for the club.

Old Trafford’s priority is to strengthen the midfield area and a £35 million deal was agreed with Atalanta for Ederson, but Ederson’s arrival was delayed due to his late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad.

United’s players will begin pre-season training on July 9 and, apart from Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia, who are out of contract so far, Michael Carrick’s squad remains the same as it was at the end of last season, with no major departures or arrivals.

Plans to sell Manuel Ugarte, who suffered a serious injury during World Cup duty in Uruguay, will now be shelved. Meanwhile, Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee is still at the club and sources have denied rumors that midfielder Mason Mount is leaving.