Manchester United transfer news as Bruno Fernandes’ uncertain long-term future at Old Trafford hints at 2026 transfer
It’s difficult to predict how active Manchester United will be in the final five days of the summer transfer window.
Ruben Amorim’s men have completed the majority of their business with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all arriving to upgrade the forward line. Diego Leon has come in to provide depth at left wing-back, although he hasn’t played in the first two games.
A new goalkeeper in the shape of Senne Lammens looks set to become signing number five at Old Trafford to compete with Andre Onana. Beyond that, any surprise moves between now and Monday’s 5pm deadline seems unlikely.
Back to the prediction earlier, it’s nearly impossible to land on whether United will be busy. On one hand, they’ve done what was needed but on the other, the midfield has emerged as a problem in the first two games of the season.
Amorim has lined-up with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in front of the back three against Arsenal and Fulham. Against the Gunners, Manuel Ugarte came on and was poor before Mason Mount partnered Fernandes in the pivot. To say that ‘trial’ of two attacking midfielders playing deep didn’t work is an understatement, Ugarte came on 11 minutes later.
The draw at Craven Cottage left more questions than answers over Kobbie Mainoo. Despite starting for England in a European Championship final 12 months ago and scoring in the FA Cup final for the club two months before, the 20-year-old seemingly has no place in Amorim’s vision.
“He’s fighting for the position now with Bruno and I change two midfielders,” the United boss said. “I let Mason Mount [play] there because we want to score a goal and when I changed I felt the team need to return to one holding midfielder near Bruno.
“So he [Mainoo] just needs to fight for the position with Bruno, as [it] should be at Manchester United. He’s going to play with Bruno, but at the moment he’s fighting in training with Bruno for the position.”
It’s been reported that Mainoo is now open to leaving the club before the window closes on Monday. The Athletic have reported that the club have been considering the prospect of selling the midfielder all summer.
Despite the noise around Mainoo, the surprise transfer rumour circling around Old Trafford is around Fernandes. After a move to Saudi Arabia didn’t materialise earlier in the window, uncertainty over his future re-emerged over the weekend, although the Manchester Evening News understands United expect Fernandes to stay at the club.
Fernandes has not been at his best for United so far this season and missed a penalty at Fulham. Mbeumo and Cunha’s introduction to the 3-4-3 system means Fernandes is playing deeper than previously.
The Athletic have reported that the club’s search throughout the summer has been focused on alternatives to the Portugal international. For the majority of the window, it had seemed as though the recruitment team were gunning for a defensive midfielder to partner Fernandes.
Now aged 30, turning 31 next month, Fernandes’ long-term future at the club isn’t guaranteed. Come next summer, interest is likely to resurface and by then, United may well be in a position to sign his replacement after spending the summer identifying possible alternatives.
Next summer, Amorim could reshuffle his midfield to land on an ideal partnership – perhaps even without Fernandes – consisting of an elite box-to-box creator to partner Ugarte, or Carlos Baleba if he is still a target.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
2025-08-27 14:30:00
