Manchester United are set for a busy summer as they once again plan to overhaul aspects of their squad ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first pre-season in charge of the Red Devils
With the season, and a post-season trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong for two friendlies now out of the way, Manchester United’s attention can fully turn to the summer. After a dismal 2024/25, the Red Devils are in need of some transformation in the coming months.
Every player has already been made available for sale, and the club appear open to a £100million offer from Al Hilal for talismanic figure Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder is said to be happy at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim making clear he would rather utilise other methods of raising funds for the club.
But with exits for Marcus Rashford, Antony and more to facilitate, the money could quickly help boost United’s chances at replenishing their squad ahead of a term without European football. The coming weeks will see Amorim’s first opportunity to add players to his squad ahead of a full pre-season.
Should Fernandes exit, each deal will come with additional pressure however. The Portuguese star scored 19 goals and made 20 assists despite United’s struggles, and they will not be replaced easily.
Mirror Football takes a look at the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding Old Trafford
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Fernandes replacement
Manchester United are lining up Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Gonclaves as a replacement for Bruno Fernandes. The Reds were already tracking the 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder before Al-Hilal indicated they are prepared to pay £100m for Fernandes, but a boost to their finances could see Ruben Amorim reunited with his former charge.
If they accepted the approach from the Saudi side, United would have the finances to meet Sporting’s £70m valuation of Gonclaves. And his arrival could perhaps go some way to easing the anger that Amorim would feel over losing his captain.
Goncalves was transformed him into a lethal attacking midfielder who can also play out wide by Amorim in Portugal after spotting his potential for goals at a pre-season training camp in 2020. He was rewarded with 23 goals in 32 games as Sporting won the Portuguese title for the first time in 19 years, the following season.
Branthwaite blow
Any plans Manchester United had to return for Jarrad Branthwaite this summer have been dealt a blow with Chelsea weighing up a move to sign the Everton. The 22-year-old has two years remaining on his contract and was the subject of interest from United last summer and the Red Devils were said to be interested in making another attempt in the coming months.
The Red Devils saw two bids rejectedlast year, with their second reaching £50million but the Merseyside club were determined not to sell. And Toffees boss David Moyes remains reluctant to part ways with his young star, per Mail Online, despite the burgeoning interest.
If United go head to head against Chelsea this summer however, they may not find much success. Branthwaite is reported to have wanted the offer of Champions League football to depart Merseyside and United are unable to offer any European football at all.
Internal discussions
Manchester United are holding internal discussions over their next move after missing out on Liam Delap, according to reports. The Ipswich Town forward is said to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Chelsea after the Blues persuaded him to come to Stamford Bridge after discussions with a number of clubs.
Chelsea’s offer of European football appears to have handed them the edge as United miss out on a player they are said to have been confident of securing a deal for. Nevertheless, the club already had alternatives in mind and are now set to move forward with their next move.
Victor Osimhen, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Jonathan David, and Randal Kolo Muani are among the names under consideration as the Red Devils attempt to sign a new forward to improve their strikeforce for Amorim.
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