Manchester United target Mateus Fernandes has been ranked as the eighth-best Premier League signing of the 2025/26 season, while Harvey Elliott’s loan spell at Aston Villa has been labelled ‘catastrophic’ in a recent report by The Athletic. The assessment comes as United consider a move for Fernandes, currently at West Ham, and reflects contrasting transfer fortunes for the two clubs.
The Athletic’s ranking of 189 Premier League transfers saw all four of Manchester United’s major signings from last summer place within the top 40. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens all enjoyed successful debut seasons at Old Trafford, indicating a strong return on investment for the club.
Liverpool, however, experienced a less positive outcome with their high-profile acquisitions. Florian Wirtz, who cost a club-record £116m, finished 97th in the rankings, while Alexander Isak, signed for £125m, placed 172nd after a season hampered by injuries. Other Liverpool signings also struggled to make an impact, with Milos Kerkez the highest-ranked at 49th.
The report was particularly critical of Harvey Elliott’s loan move to Aston Villa, describing it as a “catastrophic deal” for both clubs and the player himself. Elliott made only three starts for Villa, and attempts to alter the terms of the loan, including the obligation-to-buy clause, were unsuccessful. The Athletic noted that despite Villa’s strong season, Elliott was a peripheral figure, failing to contribute significantly to the team’s success.
At the other end of the spectrum, Mateus Fernandes earned praise for his performances at West Ham following a £40m move from Southampton. The Athletic highlighted his tackling, passing range, and overall playmaking ability, stating he “excelled” after taking on a key role following Lucas Paqueta’s departure. West Ham now value Fernandes at £80m, despite their relegation, though their negotiating position is weakened.
TEAMtalk reports that Manchester United are seriously considering a move for Fernandes, who admires current captain Bruno Fernandes. Personal terms are not expected to be an issue, with the primary hurdle being agreeing a fee with West Ham. The Portugal international’s potential arrival could bolster United’s midfield options and add further creativity to their attack.
