The 21-year-old has been high on manager Michael Carrick's transfer list, and in the last few hours there has been new contacts with the player, according to Matteo Moretto at Marca.
United also plan to hold direct talks with West Ham, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur also seen to be in the race for Fernandes' signature.
But with United's return to the UEFA Champions League next season, it gives them a clear advantage over Tottenham in signing the Portuguese midfielder as they aim to edge ahead in the negotiations to bring Fernandes to Old Trafford.
It has been reported that Tottenham are willing to pay a whopping £85 million for Fernandes, which United will undoubtedly be forced to match or improve on to secure his signature.
Fernandes made 36 appearances for West Ham during the 2025/26 campaign, scoring three times and providing four assists as the Hammers were relegated to the English Championship.
The Portuguese U21 international’s West Ham contract is valid until the summer of 2029.
The midfielder was one of the East London club’s only shining lights in a disaster season, and is desperate to return to Premier League action and continue his progression.
Manchester United are already set to complete the signing of Ederson from Atalanta in a deal worth £35 million following the World Cup this summer.
Ederson has made one substitute appearance so far for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil in the 3-0 win over Haiti.
Carrick will be keen to bolster his midfield options even further with the signing of Fernandes, particularly with the recent exit of Casemiro who left United upon the expiry of his contract this summer.
The signing of Fernandes for United would certainly be a signal of intent going into next season, as the club aims to improve on a third place finish in the Premier League in 2025/26 while also looking to compete in Europe.