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MANCHESTER UNITED SCHEDULE "PRE-WORLD CUP TALKS" WITH CAPTAIN BRUNO FERNANDES

Manchester United want crunch talks with Bruno Fernandes before the 2026 World Cup to clarify his future amid Saudi interest.

Manchester United schedule "pre-World Cup talks" with captain Bruno Fernandes
United are forcing Bruno to decide his future early

Manchester United want to sit down with Bruno Fernandes and talk about his future before the World Cup kicks off. Earlier this season, Fernandes—who wears the captain’s armband—admitted he almost joined Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia last summer. The deal never happened, but United know more offers will come in for their star midfielder.

Fernandes, now 31, has said he’ll decide what comes next after the World Cup wraps up in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. But United aren’t content to wait that long. They want to know where his head’s at before the tournament starts. According to ESPN, club officials plan to meet with him soon to get some clarity.

He’s under contract until the summer of 2027, and United can tack on another year if they want, keeping him at Old Trafford through 2028. Still, they seem willing to let him call the shots on his future.

Even so, United would really like him to stick around for at least another season. Against Manchester City, he showed exactly why. That derby ended 2-0 for United—Michael Carrick’s second spell as interim manager started with a bang—and Fernandes was massive, setting up Bryan Mbeumo’s goal.

The board sees Fernandes as crucial to easing the transition to a new manager. Carrick made a good first impression, but he probably won’t get the job full-time.

Back in December, Fernandes surprised everyone at the club when he told reporters he thought United were ready to cash in on him. He figured they wanted to sell, but held back because then-manager Ruben Amorim wanted him to stay.

Talking to Canal 11 in Portugal, Fernandes didn’t hold back: “The club wanted me to go. I told the directors that. I don’t think they had the guts to make the call because the coach wanted me. But if I’d pushed to leave, even if he wanted me to stay, they’d have let me.”

He went on: “I was valued, but what matters most to me is how my club values me, and lately I feel like I’m on a bit of a tightrope. In England, once you hit 30, they start talking about a rebuild.

“Loyalty isn’t what it used to be. I could’ve left this window; I would’ve made a lot more money. Even last season, I was close to leaving, and this year I was supposed to win trophies.”

This season, Fernandes has already scored nine goals and chipped in five assists in 19 Premier League games. He also set up a goal in United’s 2-1 FA Cup loss to Brighton. Clearly, he’s still essential.

WHY MARCUS RASHFORD IS OFFICIALLY SNUBBING MICHAEL CARRICK’S MANCHESTER UNITED SOS RETURN PLEA

Marcus Rashford has no interest in a Manchester United return. Discover why he’s choosing a permanent £26m move to Barcelona instead.

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Marcus Rashford is right to choose the sun of Spain over Manchester

Marcus Rashford isn’t looking back at Manchester United. After his loan to Barcelona, he’s made it pretty clear he wants to stay in Spain for good.

He landed at Barca last summer, a move that made sense after things soured for him at Old Trafford. Hansi Flick brought him in on a season-long loan, with a deal in place to buy him for €30 million (£26 million). Rashford wasted no time showing his worth—22 goal contributions in 32 games. He’s settled in fast, and the fans have noticed.

Earlier on, it sounded like Barcelona might try to haggle over the fee, maybe push for another loan or a cheaper deal. But now, according to Marca, that’s off the table. The club’s ready to pay what they agreed and make Rashford’s move permanent. Rashford wants it too. Everyone seems to be on the same page.

The Mirror reports Rashford has zero interest in heading back to Manchester. He wants his future sorted before England sets off for the 2026 World Cup in North America. No surprise there—he’s not looking to drag things out.

England’s first match is June 17 against Croatia, just two weeks after Barcelona’s season wraps up. Some talk suggested Michael Carrick, if he gets the United job permanently, could try to lure Rashford back. But honestly, Rashford’s mind is made up. He wants Spain, and that’s that.

Even if the Barcelona deal somehow falls through, Rashford would rather move elsewhere than wear United’s shirt again. If everything goes as planned, his transfer will be United’s first big move this summer.

He’s not the only one heading out. Casemiro’s already confirmed he’s leaving, and a few others might follow. United have juggled rumours about guys like Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kobbie Mainoo, especially back in January. After Ruben Amorim left, Mainoo actually found himself in a stronger spot at United and has started every match since Carrick came back. Lately, there’s been a real push to get him into the England squad.

Meanwhile, United are fighting for a Champions League spot. If they make the top five, they’ll have more cash to play with this summer. Last year, they spent over £200 million beefing up the squad, even without European football.

If Rashford, Ugarte, and Zirkzee all leave, United will have even more flexibility to reshape the team. Top priorities? A central midfielder, a centre-forward, and a left winger before the 2026/27 season kicks off. This summer’s shaping up to be busy at Old Trafford.

COLE PALMER "OPEN" TO MANCHESTER UNITED SWITCH AMID HOMESICK RUMORS

Cole Palmer is reportedly open to a summer move to boyhood club Manchester United as claims of homesickness emerge at Chelsea.

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Family ties are pulling Chelsea’s star back to Manchester

Cole Palmer just can’t seem to escape transfer talk. Now, it’s Manchester United in the headlines, with rumours swirling that he’s homesick after spending two and a half years at Chelsea.

Apparently, Palmer wouldn’t mind a big summer move to United—his boyhood club—especially with fresh claims that he’s not exactly settled in London. He joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5 million deal and quickly became one of their main attacking threats. But now, the England international’s name keeps popping up in connection to a return up north.

The Sun says Palmer would be open if United came calling, since he grew up supporting them. But don’t expect him to head back to City while Pep Guardiola’s still the boss. That door’s basically closed.

It’s worth noting that Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, knows Palmer well from his time at City’s academy. Wilcox is a big fan—hard not to be, after Palmer racked up 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.

Despite signing a new deal with Chelsea last year that runs until 2033, Palmer reportedly misses his hometown of Wythenshawe.

Injuries have made this season tough for him. He’s only managed 13 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, and he missed Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday because of a thigh problem. Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s new head coach, confirmed that before the match.

Rosenior’s already tried to put a lid on the transfer rumours, especially the talk about Palmer being homesick. “I’ve spoken to Cole plenty of times, and he seems really happy here,” Rosenior said last week. “He’s a huge part of our long-term plans.

“My job—and the club’s—is to help him consistently play at his best. He was frustrated after the Brentford game, for sure. We need to take care of him, and that’s why I kept him out of the last match.”

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