(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sat 21 March 2026 10:45, UK

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Manchester United have surely seen everything that they needed in order to accelerate their interest in AFC Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott this summer.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for the 22-year-old in recent weeks, and he dazzled for the Cherries in their 2-2 draw with Michael Carrick’s side on Friday evening.

Scott was at the heart of everything good about Bournemouth’s performance as Andoni Iraola’s men twice came from behind to take a point at the Vitality Stadium, and he is building a growing reputation on the South Coast.

The former Bristol City starlet was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad in surprise fashion on Friday, with many assuming that he would be in line for another call-up.

Manchester United’s transfer plans will feature a significant rebuild of their midfield with Casemiro set to leave at the end of the season, and Scott has already been identified as a player of interest.

Man United left with no choice of latest Alex Scott display

United have been heavily linked with moves for Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton this summer, but talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has suggested that deals for both of those stars are highly unlikely.

Crook outlined that he has heard that the Old Trafford outfit are keen to add two central midfielders to their group ahead of next season, but feels that one will be a slightly more cost-effective option, with Scott a major candidate.

The interest from the red side of Manchester has been clear in recent weeks, and they will surely have been left with no choice but to try and step up their pursuit and push towards a deal after what he did in his audition against them on Friday night.

Scott commanded a midfield that also featured the experience of both Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, as he ended the game with a 100 per cent success rate in his duels, and also notched 11 defensive contributions.

However, he combined that with a genuine quality on the ball, as his final tally of 62 successful passes was higher than any other player on the pitch, and he even hit the post with a stunning strike.

Scott also fashioned two chances for his teammates during the 90 minutes, as he showcased the kind of all-action midfield display that is bound to have made the United transfer chiefs sit up and take further notice.

United identify new midfield option alongside Scott

Former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that United target Mateus Fernandes will leave West Ham if they are relegated at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an excellent campaign at the London Stadium, and was recently rewarded with his first call-up to the senior Portugal squad for the upcoming internationals.

United have already got the former Southampton star on their radar, and Wyness was keen to stress that he will be “one of the first to go” from West Ham if they suffer the drop, due to the fact that he carries significant market value.

Fernandes is set to attract attention from several of the Premier League’s elite if that scenario does play out, meaning United could stand to miss out once again if they do not move quickly.

Both he and Scott are players who are of significant interest at Old Trafford, and it is already becoming clear that they both have huge futures ahead of them.