Bruno Fernandes praises Alex Scott after Man Utd summer transfer links

Bruno Fernandes has singled out Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as one of the Premier League players he expects to shine this season, following a summer in which Manchester United were strongly linked with the 23-year-old.

Scott attracted interest from several leading clubs during the transfer window, with United and Arsenal among his admirers before Chelsea identified him as a potential replacement for Enzo Fernandez.

Bournemouth ultimately refused to entertain a late departure, but Fernandes' glowing assessment suggests the Manchester United captain has been paying particularly close attention to Scott's development.

Fernandes was asked by Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On YouTube channel to identify a player capable of breaking into the next PFA Team of the Year.

The United captain immediately highlighted Scott.

“There is one player that I really like and that is Alex Scott from Bournemouth,” Fernandes said.

“I think what he did last season was great.

“I think he's someone that could easily be up for that [the PFA Team of the Year].”

Fernandes acknowledged that players representing the Premier League's biggest clubs naturally receive greater attention but believes Scott's performances on the south coast deserve recognition.

Fernandes' comments arrive immediately after a summer in which United were credited with serious interest in Scott.

The midfielder has developed rapidly since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023, establishing himself as one of the most highly regarded young central midfielders in the Premier League.

His progress also resulted in a first senior England call-up last November, although he ultimately missed Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.

Manchester United were not alone in tracking him.

Arsenal also showed strong interest, while Chelsea eventually made Scott their leading target to replace Fernandez, who completed a £125m Deadline Day move to Manchester City.

Bournemouth refused to sell despite significant interest, having already rejected a £64m Chelsea offer earlier in the summer. Scott was valued at around £80m in the latest reports surrounding his future.

Chelsea made further enquiries during the closing stages of the window but were unable to convince Bournemouth to reconsider.

That means Scott will remain under Marco Rose for at least the first half of the season.

He has already made an impact, scoring Bournemouth's goal in their 1-1 draw against Everton with a deflected effort from outside the penalty area.

His next opportunity comes against Newcastle United on Saturday, when another strong performance would reinforce Fernandes' prediction.

Fernandes made the comments after collecting the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, an achievement he particularly values because it was decided by fellow professionals.

“We're talking about a trophy that the players, the ones that stand out every week against me, have voted for, so that makes me very proud,” he said.

The United captain also reflected on dealing with scrutiny throughout his six-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, insisting that maintaining self-belief remains essential regardless of individual awards or criticism.

For Scott, meanwhile, praise from one of the Premier League's leading midfielders provides another indication of how rapidly his reputation has grown.

Scott will remain at Bournemouth after the club successfully resisted interest from the Premier League's biggest sides, with his performances likely to determine whether that interest returns.

United could revisit their admiration in a future window, while Chelsea's failure to replace Fernandez means their own interest may also remain relevant when the market reopens in January.