Manchester United are not challenging for silver in the final stages of the 2025/26 season, but the resurgent Red Devils, led by Michael Carrick, have a firm grip on their seat.
We don’t want to tempt fate, but Man United are seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with seven games remaining and are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League (United will soon face the Blues and Liverpool in the Premier League).
Whether they achieve this feat remains to be seen, but if a ticket is secured Bruno Fernandes will be the architect, boosting hopes of retaining the life-shaped captain.
Manchester United preparing to sign Bruno’s replacement
The news only came out in January. Indeed, Fernandes has been regularly linked with an exit from the Theater of Dreams in recent times, having been forced to reject an offer from the Saudi Professional League last summer and later speaking of his displeasure at INEOS pushing him towards the door after seeing financial benefits.
However, Fernandes remains and there is a good chance the Portuguese playmaker will win the Premier League Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
At 31, time is not on Bruno’s side, but he is as sharp as ever as a creator and if United can recruit well they could finally cash in on one of football’s biggest prizes next season.
Carrick’s side may make further efforts given their interest in signing Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. According to reports from Caught Offside, the England international is not happy with life at Stamford Bridge and is seeking a return to Manchester.
Valued at £150m, Man United not only have to break their own transfer record, but also the Premier League’s transfer record.
Naturally, the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also keen to sign him.
Manchester United’s richest contract in history
Many of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
Why Manchester United want to sign Cole Palmer
Palmer has struggled for form at Chelsea this season, but remains one of England’s biggest superstars, scoring nine goals in 20 Premier League games.
Last season, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said the 23-year-old was “the best player in the Premier League”, and while Palmer has struggled to regain the same indomitable form of his early days at Chelsea, his quality as a No. 10 is matched only by Fernandes in England’s top flight.
Bruno is at a much higher level than the Three Lions star this season, but as we’ve stressed, Fernandes won’t be around forever and if there’s anyone who can fill those boots, it’s Palmer.
Attacking and deadly in the final third, Palmer usually plays in a central position in attacking midfield, so a case could be made for Fernandes to take time off if he arrives at Old Trafford this summer.
No one wants that to happen and I hope that once the interim manager takes up his permanent role, the two of them will be able to co-exist at Carrick’s team next season.
Looking at Palmer’s performance across the current season, it’s not hard to see him underperforming, but a change of circumstances could reignite his world-class potential and produce similar results across the 2023/24 season.
premier league cole palmer | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (* per 90) | 24/25 | 25/26 |
Match (start) | 37 (36) | 20(18) |
the goal | 15 | 9 |
assist | 8 | 1 |
touch* | 54.2 | 44.7 |
Number of shots (on target)* | 3.4 (1.4) | 2.3 (1.0) |
Exact path* | 29.4 (83%) | 25.6 (84%) |
A big opportunity has arisen | twenty four | 3 |
Key pass* | 2.5 | 1.0 |
dribble* | 1.4 | 1.0 |
Ball recovery rate* | 2.9 | 3.2 |
Tackle + Interception* | 1.2 | 1.6 |
Win a duel* | 4.0 (55%) | 3.2 (46%) |
Of course, Fernandes has racked up ridiculous numbers in the Premier League this season, creating 24 big chances and averaging 3.6 key passes per game.
A key pass is a pass that directly leads to a shot at the opponent’s goal.
Everything flows through Magnifico, but at some stage United will have to face the music and accept that he will be gone forever.
But signing Palmer for a record amount would mean signing the perfect replacement.
Manchester United set to hire 4-2-3-1 manager this summer after meeting two candidates
The Red Devils are close to making a decision.
