Manchester United are not challenging for any silverware at the closing stages of the 2025/26 campaign, but the Red Devils are gripped to their seats as the Michael Carrick-led resurgence continues.
We don’t want to tempt fate, but Man United are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League, seven points ahead of sixth-place Chelsea with seven games to go (United meet the Blues and Liverpool soon in the Premier League).
Whether they achieve this feat remains to be seen, but Bruno Fernandes will be the architect if a ticket is secured, and it will strengthen the hopes of retaining the skipper, who is in the form of his life.
Man Utd prepare move for Bruno successor
Only in January, reports emerged. In fact, Fernandes has routinely been linked with an exit from the Theatre of Dreams in recent windows, forced to reject an offer from the Saudi Pro League last summer and later speak of his frustration at how INEOS nudged him toward the door, looking at the financial benefits.
But Fernandes has stayed put, and there’s a strong case to be made for the Portuguese playmaker taking the Premier League Player of the Year award at the end of the season.
Aged 31, time is not on Bruno’s side, but he’s never been sharper as a creator and he could finally get his hands on one of football’s biggest prizes next season, should United recruit well.
Given that Carrick’s side are interested in signing Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, they might just go that extra mile. According to reports relayed by Caught Offside, the England international is unsatisfied with life at Stamford Bridge, and he is angling for a return to Manchester.
Valued at £150m, not only would Man United have to break their own transfer record, but the Premier League’s too.
Unsurprisingly, the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are also keen on a deal.
Man Utd’s most expensive signings of all time
A number of their additions haven’t lived up to expectations.
Why Man Utd want to sign Cole Palmer
Palmer has been out of sorts for Chelsea this season, but he has still scored nine goals from 20 Premier League matches and retains his status as one of England’s biggest superstars.
Last season, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said that the 23-year-old was “the best player in the Premier League“, and though Palmer has struggled to recapture that same indomitable form of his early days at Chelsea, his quality as a No. 10 is rivalled in the English top flight only by Fernandes.
Bruno has been many levels above the Three Lions star this season, but as we’ve stressed, Fernandes is not going to be around forever, and if there is anyone who could fill those boots, it would be Palmer.
Rangy and deadly in the final third, Palmer typically plays from a central attacking midfield position, so if he were to arrive at Old Trafford this summer, there’s a case to be made that Fernandes would take his leave.
No one wants that to happen, and hopefully the two could cohabit in Carrick’s squad next term, should the interim boss get the permanent job.
If you look at Palmer’s performance across the current campaign, it’s not difficult to see that he’s underperforming, but a change in scenery could rekindle his world-class potential and produce results akin to those across the 2023/24 season.
|
Cole Palmer in the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
Matches (starts) |
37 (36) |
20 (18) |
|
Goals |
15 |
9 |
|
Assists |
8 |
1 |
|
Touches* |
54.2 |
44.7 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
3.4 (1.4) |
2.3 (1.0) |
|
Accurate passes* |
29.4 (83%) |
25.6 (84%) |
|
Big chances created |
24 |
3 |
|
Key passes* |
2.5 |
1.0 |
|
Dribbles* |
1.4 |
1.0 |
|
Ball recoveries* |
2.9 |
3.2 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
1.2 |
1.6 |
|
Duels won* |
4.0 (55%) |
3.2 (46%) |
Fernandes, of course, is racking up some absurd numbers, creating 24 big chances in the Premier League this season while 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 the Magnifico, but United are going to have to face the music at some stage and accept that he won’t be around forever.
By signing Palmer for a record fee, though, the perfect replacement would be signed.
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The Red Devils are edging closer to a decision.