2 days Ago By [email protected] (James Quinlan)
Captain Bruno Fernandes' leadership and charisma is going to be at the heart of Ruben Amorim's rebuild, the Manchester United manager has confirmed. A critical summer approaches Old Trafford . On the one hand frugality is required to ensure Man United has a long and prosperous future, but on the other there must be a desire to kickstart the implementation of change - change that will truly hail in the Amorim era.
And as a first act, the manager is sticking by the club's captain of two years. Despite signing a new contract in August until 2027 to become one of the highest earners, rumours would have had people believe Fernandes ' position was not secure looking ahead to the transfer window. "No, it’s not going to happen," Amorim responded on Monday to suggestions of a departure .
"That (becoming more competitive) is the challenge. I want Bruno here because maybe in the lowest moments of our season he..
. We want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players to continue with us." The 2024/25 campaign will be one recorded only faintly in the Man United history books but at least it would appear to be one that a manager able to make smart decisions has emerged.
Fernandes - as a capable leader and key influence on most things good that this side has done for multiple years now - is exactly where Man United should want him. There are priorities ahead of him to fix, and all will fall into place in due time. Dream Man United midfield 2025/26 Nailing down Fernandes is a start.
Amorim keeps stability and the heart of his layered Man United midfield for the 2025/26 campaign. But there is still work to be done. Who does he sign? Who does he let go? As we all know, the manager has implemented his 3-4-3 system with two central midfielders and two more attacking.
They typically operate in that space between central striker and overlapping full-back. It is particularly in that central midfield that decision-making appears it is going to be critical in the months ahead. Another decision appears as if it will be made for Amorim - Christian Eriksen 's contract is on course to expire on June 30.
Where he is able to make a further impact though is get Casemiro , of a similar age profile, sold. One year remaining on his deal, the Brazilian is symbol of former frivolous Old Trafford spending and not the long-term answer at all. But Man United will know better than anyone, this sale would not fetch them a fee that would unlock greater possibilities.
For that, a homegrown talent would have to be moved on, thus securing pure profit. Teenager Kobbie Mainoo enjoyed a breakout campaign with his boyhood club last term, even scoring the winner in the FA Cup final. But no player is untouchable in regard to sales, as Mainoo was last year.
Selling a star of tomorrow would do United the world of good amid their ongoing Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns and Mainoo leaving would represent pure profit on the accounts, potentially giving the summer transfer budget a boost at the same time. Should Mainoo depart, this leaves Amorim with only Manuel Ugarte as a fully-fledged first XI quality central midfielder. In a dream scenario United can nail down two new options for their manager this summer.
When the time arrives, the manager's promise to his former club not to sign their players this season will be up. Morten Hjulmand of Sporting CP, rated £37.6m by Transfermarkt, reunited with his former coach at the age of 25 can help establish a stronger base to build from alongside Ugarte.
The loss of one talent in Mainoo can be negated by signing another of England's finest, Adam Wharton, who is now Premier League proven at the young age of 21 with Crystal Palace. He is rated £29.2m and helps to create a central midfield with added depth.
With that settled, Amorim can look further ahead to his attacking midfielders. Simply put, the return of Amad to full fitness and keeping him that way is going to be crucial. Before his setback the 22-year-old was leading Man United from the front.
Fernandes operates from the left whilst Amad does so from the right to complete Amorim's strongest midfield, with Alejandro Garnacho more than capable of pushing either for a place. With Mainoo sold, keeping the Argentine becomes a greater possibility and could be Amorim's preference out of the pair to keep hold of given the impact he can offer. Get United transfer news and updates on WhatsApp! Our team of Manchester United experts are on top of all the goings-on at Old Trafford for this week and beyond, and you can get the latest team news, injury updates, reaction and analysis along with inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community .
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