Manchester United’s transfers have increasingly come under the spotlight in recent years, with hundreds of millions wasted on players that haven’t exactly fit the bill.

A world record £80million for Harry Maguire followed by £86m for Grade-A flop Antony immediately spring to mind. That begs the question as to how many actual game-changers and top-class players the Red Devils could have bought with those same funds.

Captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes certainly appears to agree with that notion, having been very vocal about missing out on one particular target – compatriot and fellow midfielder Matheus Nunes – in 2022.

Nunes now plays for bitter rivals Manchester City and claimed his first Premier League title last season. But United had the opportunity to sign the Portuguese, 25, prior to his transfer to Wolves in August 2022 and his eventual success with City.

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United made the increasingly baffling call to splurge £70m on veteran Casemiro, while the young Nunes became Wolves’ record signing for a mere £38m (rising to £43m). Fernandes at the time vented his frustrations towards the United hierarchy for not prioritising the signing.

Fernandes told Portuguese media outlet Record: “I’ve already talked to him. I’ve already told him that he should have come here (to United) and not there (to Wolves). I’m very happy for him.

“He’s going to experience the best league in the world, he’s going to have players beside him with a lot of quality, like Ruben (Sa) and Joao (Moutinho), who will teach him a lot. They are two experienced players.

“Matheus is doing incredible things. He has an incredible scope for growth, he is a humble, hardworking kid and I’m sure he will probably explode in the Premier League and will show his qualities. Because for his qualities Matheus was not made for the Premier League, but rather the Premier League was made for Matheus.”

United’s mistake in not signing Nunes became even more damning when City splashed £53m on him last summer. Pep Guardiola was in agreement with Fernandes over Nunes’ talents, labelling him an “exceptional player”, having once called him “one of the best in the world” while he still played for Sporting CP.

Pep Guardiola snapped up the midfielder from Wolves ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
Nunes featured in just 17 of City’s Premier League title-winning season, making another 11 appearances in all competitions. He will be eager to make a bigger impact in his second campaign at the Etihad ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Meanwhile, Fernandes’ own future at United is now in a precarious position. The playmaker has starred at Old Trafford since his arrival in January 2020 and was given the captain’s armband last season.

But it turned out to be a horrid season for Erik ten Hag’s side, and controlling co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has since ordered an overhaul of the squad, with Fernandes not one of the players who was marked out as being off-limits for interested suitors this summer.

PSG appear increasingly likely to test out United’s stance on keeping hold of their skipper. And just two months ago, Fernandes set out what the Red Devils need to do to ensure he remains at Old Trafford, stating that the club “needs to want me”.