Manchester United 2025/2026 Season

[hassan918]

Fernandes has no interest in Saudi switch​

Bruno Fernandes has no interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League at the end of the season, BBC Sport understands.

The Portugal midfielder rejected huge offers from Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad last summer in order to stay at Manchester United.

Sources close to the United skipper have completely rejected recent suggestions he is ready to quit Old Trafford after the World Cup next summer and accept a Saudi offer.

BBC Sport has been told that is not the case and Fernandes, whose United contract runs to 2027, with the option of an additional year, is only interested in playing in major European leagues.

As it stands, he is fully committed to United. The project under co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a long-term one and sources say Fernandes is determined to put everything into helping United towards a better future, while also believing it is possible to secure a top-five finish that could earn a place in next season's Champions League.

The 31-year-old has been used in a deeper midfield role this season, with manager Ruben Amorim believing Fernandes can be more effective because he gets on the ball more often, although some argue it takes him away from the opposition goal where he is more dangerous.

He remains one of the most influential players in United's squad and in last month's win against Chelsea scored his 100th goal for the club on his 200th Premier League appearance. In total he has played 298 times and Amorim stressed his importance to his squad after the Chelsea game.

"He deserves all the praise," said Amorim.

"That guy deserves to be in the history of our club, not just for what he does but for what his team conquers."

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Saudi sport supremo's Man Utd 'takeover' post prompts questions

Manchester United sources have rejected claims made by Saudi sports supremo Turki Alalshikh that the club is in advanced negotiations over a sale to a new investor.

On Wednesday, Alalshikh, who has 7.2m followers on X,, external wrote on the social media platform: "The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he's better than the previous owners."

Multiple sources close to United said the claim was untrue.

Alalshikh clarified in a second post on X, external on Thursday that he was not the 'new investor', adding "nor are they from my nation".

But unanswered questions remain.

The friendly plan

It has been anticipated there would be talks between United and the Saudi authorities in the coming weeks over the potential of playing at least one mid-season friendly to try to raise funds in the absence of European competition.

And while it is not certain whether United want to play a Saudi Pro-League club or a similarly placed European giant, such as AC Milan, head coach Ruben Amorim said last week: "We have to do it.

"We knew that when we missed Europe, we had to compensate [for] a lot of things, including our fans and the budget. So we are putting [it] all together to do that."

On Sunday, Alalshikh unveiled the latest Riyadh Season schedule - which did not include any football, though it is thought a game could be added - and said the brand value of the list of sporting events has now reached $3.2bn (£2.39bn).

The Saudi link to the Glazers

While there are no deals presently active, there is history between the Glazer family and Saudi Arabia.

In 2017, United agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the country's General Sports Authority (GSA).

When the contract was announced, , externalUnited said the aim was to help the GSA develop its football industry, as part of its 2030 Vision, to diversify its economy, and the club would be "lending its business and sporting expertise to clubs, sporting authorities and individuals in Saudi Arabia".

In 2008, United signed a lucrative five-year sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom, which was extended by a further five years in 2013.

These deals gave rise to speculation about a Saudi buyout of the Glazer family but United sources repeatedly played down the rumours and no deal materialised.

Could it happen?

While Alalshikh's second post on X suggests there is no active Saudi bid for United, it is even not clear if such a purchase of the club could get through the Premier League's Owners and Directors' test.

Sheikh Jassim's attempt to buy the club never advanced far enough for the league to have to rule on it. However, as there was no competing Qatari owner, it could not have been ruled out on conflict of interest grounds.

That is not the case with Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund (PIF) has run Newcastle since 2021.

While the Saudi Pro-League has four clubs - Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli - that are run by PIF, it seems unlikely the Premier League would be willing to sanction multiple ownership by the same ultimate source, even if the individuals in charge of them were different.

Solid relationship

In his recent interview with The Times' new podcast, The Business, Ratcliffe explained how the operation at United worked.

He now owns nearly 30% of the club after completing his part-purchase last year. Although they have an input, the Glazer family are letting Ratcliffe make all the major decisions.

"We're local, and they're the other side of the pond," he said.

"That's a long way away to try and manage a football club as big and as complex as Manchester United. We're here with feet on the ground.

"They come to the board meetings. We sit down and we talk about things."

Asked what would happen if the Glazers told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe replied: "It absolutely wouldn't happen because it's just a good working relationship."

The Ratcliffe investment does include a 'drag-on clause' - in place from August 2025 - that means the 72-year-old would have to sell if the Glazers accepted an offer in excess of the $33 a share he paid for the club.

Ratcliffe referred to the clause when he spoke at a news conference in 2024, saying: "I don't think we're going to be taking the legal agreements out of the bottom drawer."

In the latest set of financial accounts, released last month, it states there are additional restrictions in place to February 2027, including buying another club and paying dividends between the two parties. However, one of three stated exceptions is if they are 'in connection with a change of control transaction'.

Yet Ratcliffe's words do not suggest there are issues in his relationship with the Glazer family that would be so serious as they are negotiating behind his back. Quite the reverse, in fact.

It all brings us back to Alalshikh's initial post and subsequent denials. We might be waiting a long time for those answers.

BBC

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Saudi sport supremo's Man Utd 'takeover' post prompts questions

Manchester United sources have rejected claims made by Saudi sports supremo Turki Alalshikh that the club is in advanced negotiations over a sale to a new investor.

On Wednesday, Alalshikh, who has 7.2m followers on X,, external wrote on the social media platform: "The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor. I hope he's better than the previous owners."

Multiple sources close to United said the claim was untrue.

Alalshikh clarified in a second post on X, external on Thursday that he was not the 'new investor', adding "nor are they from my nation".

But unanswered questions remain.

The friendly plan

It has been anticipated there would be talks between United and the Saudi authorities in the coming weeks over the potential of playing at least one mid-season friendly to try to raise funds in the absence of European competition.

And while it is not certain whether United want to play a Saudi Pro-League club or a similarly placed European giant, such as AC Milan, head coach Ruben Amorim said last week: "We have to do it.

"We knew that when we missed Europe, we had to compensate [for] a lot of things, including our fans and the budget. So we are putting [it] all together to do that."

On Sunday, Alalshikh unveiled the latest Riyadh Season schedule - which did not include any football, though it is thought a game could be added - and said the brand value of the list of sporting events has now reached $3.2bn (£2.39bn).

The Saudi link to the Glazers

While there are no deals presently active, there is history between the Glazer family and Saudi Arabia.

In 2017, United agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the country's General Sports Authority (GSA).

When the contract was announced, , externalUnited said the aim was to help the GSA develop its football industry, as part of its 2030 Vision, to diversify its economy, and the club would be "lending its business and sporting expertise to clubs, sporting authorities and individuals in Saudi Arabia".

In 2008, United signed a lucrative five-year sponsorship deal with Saudi Telecom, which was extended by a further five years in 2013.

These deals gave rise to speculation about a Saudi buyout of the Glazer family but United sources repeatedly played down the rumours and no deal materialised.

Could it happen?

While Alalshikh's second post on X suggests there is no active Saudi bid for United, it is even not clear if such a purchase of the club could get through the Premier League's Owners and Directors' test.

Sheikh Jassim's attempt to buy the club never advanced far enough for the league to have to rule on it. However, as there was no competing Qatari owner, it could not have been ruled out on conflict of interest grounds.

That is not the case with Saudi Arabia, whose Public Investment Fund (PIF) has run Newcastle since 2021.

While the Saudi Pro-League has four clubs - Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli - that are run by PIF, it seems unlikely the Premier League would be willing to sanction multiple ownership by the same ultimate source, even if the individuals in charge of them were different.

Solid relationship

In his recent interview with The Times' new podcast, The Business, Ratcliffe explained how the operation at United worked.

He now owns nearly 30% of the club after completing his part-purchase last year. Although they have an input, the Glazer family are letting Ratcliffe make all the major decisions.

"We're local, and they're the other side of the pond," he said.

"That's a long way away to try and manage a football club as big and as complex as Manchester United. We're here with feet on the ground.

"They come to the board meetings. We sit down and we talk about things."

Asked what would happen if the Glazers told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe replied: "It absolutely wouldn't happen because it's just a good working relationship."

The Ratcliffe investment does include a 'drag-on clause' - in place from August 2025 - that means the 72-year-old would have to sell if the Glazers accepted an offer in excess of the $33 a share he paid for the club.

Ratcliffe referred to the clause when he spoke at a news conference in 2024, saying: "I don't think we're going to be taking the legal agreements out of the bottom drawer."

In the latest set of financial accounts, released last month, it states there are additional restrictions in place to February 2027, including buying another club and paying dividends between the two parties. However, one of three stated exceptions is if they are 'in connection with a change of control transaction'.

Yet Ratcliffe's words do not suggest there are issues in his relationship with the Glazer family that would be so serious as they are negotiating behind his back. Quite the reverse, in fact.

It all brings us back to Alalshikh's initial post and subsequent denials. We might be waiting a long time for those answers.

BBC

We Can Smell The Title

 

[Obaidd]

How’s the prep looking like for Anfield visit?
I was surprised to see Casemiro still starting for Brazil. Seems like the national team setup (led by Ancelotti) still trusts him. Wonder when Utd fans start showering love on this guy.

Anyways Utd surely have enough quality on the pitch to beat Liv but we know how the gates can open too if Liv press on. Neutrals really looking forward to this clash.

 

[KingKhanWC]

How’s the prep looking like for Anfield visit?
I was surprised to see Casemiro still starting for Brazil. Seems like the national team setup (led by Ancelotti) still trusts him. Wonder when Utd fans start showering love on this guy.

Anyways Utd surely have enough quality on the pitch to beat Liv but we know how the gates can open too if Liv press on. Neutrals really looking forward to this clash.

If Casemiro and Fernandes both start for Utd, Liverpool will run riot at Anfiled. Utd need younger, fitter and stronger players who can run all 90 mins with high energy to stop LFC on Sunday.

On the plus side for Utd their attack can cause a lot of problems for LFC and will likely score a goal. It should be a high scoring match.

 

[KingKhanWC]

A good watch to warm the appetite for Sunday

 

[Obaidd]

If Casemiro and Fernandes both start for Utd, Liverpool will run riot at Anfiled. Utd need younger, fitter and stronger players who can run all 90 mins with high energy to stop LFC on Sunday.

On the plus side for Utd their attack can cause a lot of problems for LFC and will likely score a goal. It should be a high scoring match.

Utd don’t respect their players or managers post Ferguson. They remember them when they leave and perform somewhere else.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Well Boys. A fantastic Performance. Specially the first half hour is the best I've seen us play for a long time. We could have easily been 3 - 0 up in the first half hour. Second half we were dogged and worked hard as a team. Amorim finally getting a tune with his philosophy. Hopefully we continue to improve.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

A good watch to warm the appetite for Sunday

Hang on a minute @KingKhanWC . No point hiding Now. You come on our thread champing at the bit and throwing in subtle wind up clips. But surely now you must come out of the hide out to face the music Buddy

 

[DeadlyVenom]

That's the type of win that can ignite a season.

Nice to see Harry as the hero too. He's went through a hell of a lot and came out the other side with his integrity.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

If Casemiro and Fernandes both start for Utd, Liverpool will run riot at Anfiled. Utd need younger, fitter and stronger players who can run all 90 mins with high energy to stop LFC on Sunday.

On the plus side for Utd their attack can cause a lot of problems for LFC and will likely score a goal. It should be a high scoring match.

Both Casimero Fernandez started and we were running Riot on your circus backline in the first half

 

[KingKhanWC]

Both Casimero Fernandez started and we were running Riot on your circus backline in the first half

I wouldnt go as far as running riot. Utd scored with their first attack of the match, then after battled very hard throughout. Liverpool should have scored 5/6 with the amount of shots at goal but were misfiring like a an ford escort. This is football, it can happen but Slot hasnt done anything in the 2 week break to sort out the defence.

Big win for Utd, prob the biggest day of your season. Utd wont be winning any silverware but top 6 is on now. Well played and enjoy the victory for all Utd fans.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

I wouldnt go as far as running riot. Utd scored with their first attack of the match, then after battled very hard throughout. Liverpool should have scored 5/6 with the amount of shots at goal but were misfiring like a an ford escort. This is football, it can happen but Slot hasnt done anything in the 2 week break to sort out the defence.

Big win for Utd, prob the biggest day of your season. Utd wont be winning any silverware but top 6 is on now. Well played and enjoy the victory for all Utd fans.

First half hour we could have been 3 up lol.

 

[The_KING]

What a win!

Yes, we did ride our luck at times, but you need a bit of luck if you want to win at Anfield.

Still, I won't get carried away with this win, as this team is more than capable of losing next week at home to Brighton. I will enjoy this win and take it one match at a time.

 

[The_KING]

I know it is early but the goalkeeper has made a difference already.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

I have not agreed to leave Man Utd - Fernandes

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he will not discuss his future with anyone until after next year's World Cup.

The 31-year-old will make his 300th appearance for United on Saturday, as the club attempt to end a run of three successive home defeats by Brighton.

It is an achievement made more remarkable by the fact that Fernandes has missed just 17 games since his £47m move from Sporting in January 2020 - and only three of those were because of injury or illness.

The Portuguese rejected a huge offer from Al-Hilal in the summer, then dismissed subsequent interest elsewhere from the Saudi Pro League and Europe.

Fernandes knows the rumours about his future won't go away.

Sources close to him have previously told BBC Sport he has no wish to move to Saudi Arabia next summer either, with major European clubs outside the Premier League holding more interest.

It is understood Fernandes' contract - which expires in 2027 with the option of an additional year - includes a clause that would allow him to join a club outside England for £56.68m (€65m) provided it is triggered early enough.

However, Fernandes is not interested in talking about it just yet.

"As I've always said, I feel good here. I want to achieve my dreams still," he said.

"I can't talk for the club. I've seen a lot of people talking that I had an agreement to go already next season. If the club has done that agreement, it wasn't made with me. I haven't spoken with anyone.

"My agent also knows how I work. If he wants to talk to me, it will be after the World Cup. Until then, I won't speak to anyone."

Fernandes spoke to a lot of people when Al-Hilal's interest first became public during United's post-season trip to Asia.

Conversations with chief executive Omar Berrada and technical director Jason Wilcox, plus head coach Ruben Amorim, Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo – who plays in Saudi Arabia - and his family all took place independently.

Everyone accepted the money being talked about, even for one of the Premier League's highest earners, was eye-watering. The fee, expected to be in excess of £100m, would have been a club record sale.

But no-one was pushing Fernandes out. In fact, Amorim was saying quite the opposite.

"He said to me 'No, we want more players to help you to become a better team. If we bring some people and lose you, we're still going to lose something'," Fernandes said of his manager.

His wife Ana was blunt.

"My family feels very well here," Fernandes said. "My kids love to go to school. They love the way they live here, even with the weather.

"Everyone is settled. We say sometimes the house we have here, it feels more like home than the one we have in Portugal.

"The first thing she said was: 'Have you achieved everything you wanted to achieve at the club?' She knows I haven't.

"When I talk about not fulfilling my dreams at the club, it comes a lot from what she said to me."

Man Utd: Bruno Fernandes on future at club, team-mates and putting team first

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says he will not discuss his future with anyone until after the World Cup.

www.bbc.com

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Another excellent performance so far. Players are clearly in sink with Amorims formation and Philosophy. Credit to Sir Jim for backing Amorim.

His signings have been excellent. Couple of more windows and we are firmly be back!

 

[Geordie Ahmed]

Good run for Amorim and Man U

Big difference a few weeks makes, everyone was convinced he'd be sacked during the next International break but there's not a chance that happens now

 

[aboveandbeyond]

I've been consistently Pro Amorim even in the sticky Period. He is bringing in players who fit the Profile required at UTD. And they look the real deal. Another Transfer window or so, UTD could be a real force to be reckon with.