After really scraping the barrel over the last 18 months or so, it finally all seems to be coming up Manchester United. The club have sealed a return to the Champions League, have cantered to a strong Premier League finish under Michael Carrick and the mood is, for once, good going into the close season. There’s no time for self-congratulation and early finishes, however, as the groundwork for next season must already have started. United have a formidable job on their hands to reset their squad ahead of a pivotal campaign that, all of a sudden, could feasibly deliver a trophy if all goes to plan. Here is a vision of a perfect transfer window, the latest in The Peoples Person’s series of thoughts on how the club can best prepare for success over the summer: OUTGOINGS Manuel Ugarte Things have simply failed to work out for Manuel Ugarte at Old Trafford, and Ruben Amorim was right to be left stunned by the Uruguayan’s regression since joining United. It is obviously time for the Red Devils to cut their losses while they can still claw back some of what they spent on the midfield liability who has proven himself totally unable to deputise for, much less replace, Casemiro in United’s engine room. Joshua Zirkzee Another figure to unceremoniously flop at United, Joshua Zirkzee can at least hold his head up and say he tried. The Dutchman’s return of nine goals in 73 appearances for the club is nowhere near good enough for a striker and while there are mitigating circumstances to an extent – many of those appearances would have been sub-ten-minute cameos and he views himself as a “9.5” rather a standard centre-forward – he is a saleable asset who must be sold. Andre Onana A potentially less saleable one is Andre Onana, whose giant wages and basic lack of quality between the posts will make him a difficult player to shift. Reports have swirled around that he fancies himself for the number 1 spot next season, but United would be mad to even entertain such an idea and a way has to be found to move the Cameroonian goalkeeper on, even if on another underwhelming loan. Marcus Rashford Some loans are better than others and Marcus Rashford’s spell with Barcelona has yielded a deeply impressive 14 goals and 14 assists, not to mention a league title. Logic would suggest that the Spanish side leap at their option to sign him permanently for just £26m, but that’s not necessarily how they operate. If Barca bewilderingly pass on a player who has demonstrated his quality for them, United must still look to sell him elsewhere as his time at Old Trafford has certainly come to an end. Diogo Dalot Grudgingly, you have to admit that Diogo Dalot¡ has had a decent season for United this time around. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is generally a study in mediocrity, playing with a low football IQ in and out of possession. If a suitor can be found, the Red Devils should certainly look to move on their right-back albatross and bring in fresh blood to revitalise a stale position. INCOMING Aurelien Tchouameni United’s capture of Casemiro from Real Madrid four years ago turned out to be an inspired piece of business, and the club should return to the Bernabeu to sign Aurelien Tchouameni as his successor. The 26-year-old is in his prime and provides the grit and guile on the ball that Michael Carrick will need. His extraordinary altercation with teammate Federico Valverde has left a huge question mark over his situation at Real; the toxicity seems to have stemmed from Valverde rather than the Frenchman, and United should swoop in and secure a blockbuster signing. Mateus Fernandes West Ham are on the brink of relegation but regardless of which division they play in next season they will surely be without Mateus Fernandes, and United must win the race for his signature. The versatile and talented midfielder is exactly what the Red Devils need to compete with and complement Kobbie Mainoo in the centre of the park, and at just 21 years old with Premier League experience is as close to the perfect signing as INEOS can hope to get. Leon Goretzka Losing Casemiro is so much more than just losing a capable body on the pitch. The Brazilian has seen it all, done it all and won most of it, and the loss of his experience will be huge. Leon Goretzka is calling time on a phenomenally successful stint at Bayern Munich this summer and will be available for free – an opportunity United can’t afford to pass up. The 31-year-old still has some life in him and even if he is not what he once was on the pitch, the knowledge and expertise he has gained from winning seven league titles and a Champions League with the Bavarian giants can only help the United dressing room. Danny Welbeck Football loves romance but it also loves goals, and a return to Old Trafford for Danny Welbeck could tick both of those boxes. The 35-year-old is undoubtedly in the twilight of his career, but that hasn’t stopped him plundering 14 goals in all competitions this season, including one at Old Trafford when United beat Brighton and Hove Albion 4-2. A short-term contract for Welbeck would take the burden off Benjamin Sesko, who has shown huge potential but also considerable rawness in his debut campaign at United, and the veteran striker would be an ideal figure to learn from. It shouldn’t be an expensive deal, and is starting to edge into no-brainer territory. Daniel Munoz Various dominoes may have to fall to make it feasible, but should United engineer an opening at right-back then Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz should be right at the top of their wishlist. The Columbian has that precious Premier League experience, and at 29 years old knows exactly what he’s about and should hit the ground running. Not necessarily an exciting transfer, but a potentially transformative one. Featured image Jan Kruger via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Joe Ponting Joe has spent more than half his life writing about football and all of it following United. As a child he told a doctor his name was ‘Paul Scholes’, but could never pick a pass like him no matter how much he tried. He cut his teeth working in print media for local newspapers and entered football journalism covering the grassroots game for the Non-League Paper. Here he achieved a career high, interviewing United legend Sir Bobby Charlton to get his views on the lower echelons of the football pyramid. To kill time during international breaks Joe writes album reviews and has strong views on post punk for Plus One Magazine.
Carrick can lift a trophy next season if United opt for this explosive approach in the transfer market – opinion
Video: “You consider all things”: Kobbie Mainoo makes explosive revelation of his time working with Amorim
Michael Carrick’s arrival has not only benefited Manchester United, but also one of their homegrown heroes. Kobbie Mainoo, who was a regular for the Red Devils en route to their FA Cup success under Erik ten Hag, and for England as they reached the Euro 2024 finals, inexplicably saw his role drastically reduced by Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese felt the Englishman did not fit his system and opted to play Bruno Fernandes alongside Casemiro instead. The Carrington graduate failed to start a single Premier League game under the then-Portuguese head coach, and came close to leaving the 20-time English league champions in two successive transfer windows. Amorim almost led to Kobbie Mainoo leaving INEOS blocked his request in the summer, before the caretaker head coach’s arrival in January following Amorim’s sacking, turned his fortunes around. Kobbie Mainoo has started all but one game under Carrick, and his heroics against Liverpool ensured the club’s return to the Champions League. “At the forefront of my mind was always to play for Manchester United” ❤️ Kobbie Mainoo on how close he came to leaving when he wasn’t playing under Ruben Amorim 🔊 pic.twitter.com/odoT8Urr4w — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2026 Sky Sports caught up with the 21-year-old and asked him about his time under Amorim. The Stockport-born star admitted that he came close to quitting his boyhood club. “When you’re not playing many games, or any games, you consider all things. But at the forefront of my mind was always to play for Manchester United and continue to play for this club that I’ve grown up at.” How United stars helped Kobbie Mainoo overcome challenging period He went on to explain how difficult that period was, and how his teammates helped him overcome that challenging phase. “Yeah, when there’s new managers, they have their way that they want to play and if they think you don’t fit that, then you don’t fit that. All I can do is try and work and train to maybe see it in a different light. “Going from playing nearly every game to not playing as often is always going to be a difficult adjustment. It was good for me in terms of learning [about] myself, the game, and patience. How to schedule my life and how I train and how I work and getting into routines.” “It’s difficult when you don’t even come on as a sub of course. But I’d say my family and my friends helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel. They knew it would swing back my way at some point, so I just had to be patient.” The midfield maestro has been duly rewarded with a new long-term deal by United, and he is expected to play a starring role for the three-time Champions League winners in the years to come and for the Three Lions at the upcoming World Cup. Feature image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
Technically amazing U21 United midfielder makes huge strides towards first team by winning reserve team POTY
Tyler Fletcher has enjoyed a standout year in his fledgling Manchester United career, and it has now been capped off with the U21 midfielder being awarded the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award. The son of U18s manager and former Manchester United legend Darren Fletcher, he has made exceptional progress over the course of the campaign, playing over two thousand minutes and becoming a stalwart of the U21s midfield. The award caps a breakthrough season for the young Scotsman, who will hope to follow in his father’s footsteps by enjoying a long, trophy-laden career with the Red Devils. A meteoric rise Fletcher signed for Manchester United in 2023 alongside his twin brother Jack Fletcher, arriving from local rivals Manchester City for a fee of £1.25 million. The move was seen as a major coup for Manchester United, and the brothers impressed instantly, quickly transitioning from the youth set-up to become regulars within the U21 side. Fletcher signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in April 2024, shortly after his 17th birthday. Since then, he has become pivotal to the success of the U21 side, often controlling games from the centre of the pitch. A breakthrough campaign This season, Fletcher’s game has progressed to the next level, and he has established himself as a leader within the U21 side. The talented young midfielder possesses many key attributes that make him essential to the side, such as his exceptional vision, passing ability, and tactical versatility. Fletcher’s fine performances for the U21 side have seen his international career progress too, with the playmaker now a key cog in the Scotland U19 side, having started all of their qualifying matches for the UEFA Under-19 Championship. Most excitingly, this season has seen Fletcher make huge strides towards the Manchester United first team, with him regularly taking part in training with the senior side. Interim head coach Michael Carrick even handed the youngster his debut in February, with the midfielder coming on as a late substitute during the Red Devils’ 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. All of this goes to show that the exciting young talent is a more than worthy winner of the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award, a coveted prize that has been claimed by James Garner, Dan Gore, and Tyler Fredricson in the past. A bright future This treasured prize is sure to encourage Fletcher even more, ensuring he continues to push himself and work hard to develop into the fine footballer everybody at the club knows he can become. The impending departure of legendary midfielder Casemiro will leave academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo in need of a new midfield partner next season. While the club are sure to be active in the upcoming transfer window, the club’s pre-season tour will surely give Fletcher opportunities to prove he is capable of playing a much larger role in the first team moving forward. Feature image Ben Roberts photo via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Mike Walsh Mike Walsh is an experienced freelance journalist who has written about a variety of topics over multiple years. He is very happy to finally be writing about the Red Devils, especially now that his favourite player, Michael Carrick, is in charge of the team.
Official: JJ Gabriel breaks long-standing United record to scoop up major accolade
JJ Gabriel’s spectacular rise with Manchester United’s academy has caught the imagination of United fans. Yet to make his first-team bow, the Englishman is one of the most exciting young stars to emerge from Carrington in recent years. Gabriel has already trained with the first team this season, despite only turning 15 last October. A senior debut is not possible this campaign due to FA regulations, but that has not dampened the excitement surrounding the teenager. An attacking midfielder who is comfortable playing across the front three, Gabriel has also caught the eye of first-team stars, with Bryan Mbeumo singling him out for special praise. When he has not been training with the first team, the young Englishman has been featuring for the Under-18 side. Despite playing well above his age group, Gabriel has not looked out of place this season and has been one of the standout performers in Darren Fletcher’s team. Gabriel’s 2025/26 Season Gabriel played his first game for United’s Under-18 side in April last year, as a 14 year old, against Leeds United. The youngster scored twice, becoming the youngest player ever to score for the club’s Under-18 side. The Englishman has featured exclusively for the Under-18s this season, registering 26 goals and four assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. JJ Gabriel Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played U18 Premier League2322233–1,968′ FA Youth Cup66313-588′ Total29282643-2,556′ Source: Transfermarkt. Gabriel famously scored a hat-trick in the 7-0 win over Liverpool in November, and also found the back of the net against the Merseyside club at Carrington last month. He was part of the team that reached the FA Youth Cup final this season, but lost 2-1 to Manchester City on Wednesday. The youngster has since issued a response to the defeat, which will also please United fans. Gabriel was already awarded the inaugural Under-18 Premier League Player of the Season earlier this week and has now received another accolade. Following in footsteps of past United legends Gabriel has won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, United have announced. The teenager also becomes the youngest recipient of the prestigious academy award, breaking the record of Angel Gomes, who was 16 years and eight months old when he won it in 2017. The award recognises Gabriel’s immense potential and suggests that he has a huge future ahead of him. Kobbie Mainoo won the accolade in 2023 and is now one of the mainstays of the senior side. Gabriel joins a group of highly gifted previous winners, including Norman Whiteside, Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Marcus Rashford, while Harry Amass won it last season. Final Thoughts There is a belief that Gabriel could make his first-team debut next season, with Under-18 manager Darren Fletcher suggesting the player is ready for the step up. For now, Whiteside remains United’s youngest-ever goalscorer, having scored against Stoke City in May 1982 at the age of 17 years and eight days. That record, however, could be under threat next season. JJ Gabriel takes our Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award 👏 The United family are proud of you, JJ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UAs8MD0JNl — Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2026 Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
United could drop blockbuster announcement before Forest clash, fans will be delighted – report
Manchester United have zeroed in on their new permanent head coach after months of dilly-dallying. When Ruben Amorim was sacked, the Red Devils were languishing in sixth place, and at that stage, INEOS must have been praying for the team to qualify for the Europa League at least. They turned to Michael Carrick to steady the ship, and not even the club’s most positive fan could have envisaged such a turnaround in such a short span of time. The legendary former midfielder has guided the club to wins over Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, ensuring that the 20-time English league champions have qualified for the Champions League with three games to spare. Michael Carrick deserves the top job One more point from their remaining two games will assure United of a third-place finish, their highest in the last three years. This explains why INEOS have overlooked other options in favour of keeping Michael Carrick at the helm on a permanent basis. Talks of a two-year deal with the option of extending it by a year have been doing the rounds, and now, ESPN have provided another blockbuster update regarding the current caretaker head coach. Rob Dawson has claimed that INEOS could potentially announce Michael Carrick as their new head coach before the Nottingham Forest game on Sunday. Announcement soon The public proclamation hinges on how quickly both parties can tie up the paperwork. “Sources have told ESPN that United have not ruled out the possibility that Carrick’s permanent appointment could be announced before Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. “The fixture is United’s last home game of the season, and Carrick is set to address supporters after the final whistle. “Whether or not there is an announcement before Forest’s trip to Old Trafford will depend on how quickly negotiations develop over the next 24 hours.” With this out of the way, Carrick’s address to the fans after the final home game will take on added significance. Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
Whitwell: INEOS ready to bring back Ex-Man Utd man who was ousted by Amorim
Manchester United are reportedly considering re-hiring set-piece specialist coach Andreas Georgson, who had a brief spell at the club.The 44-year-old has already worked at several Premier League clubs in the past, including Brentford, Arsenal, and Southampton.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYIn the summer of 2024, he was brought in to boost Ten Hag’s Man Utd technical staff, but the Dutchman was sacked a few months later, leaving him in an awkward spot.Andreas Georgson could make Man Utd return one year after his exitWhile he wasn’t given his marching orders along with Ten Hag and his main associates, Georgson had his role severely reduced under Ruben Amorim.The Portuguese head coach made it clear that his assistant, Carlos Fernandes, was in charge of set-piece training, while the Swede would simply ‘assist’ him in this task. Unsurprisingly, Georgson ended up leaving MUFC at the end of the previous campaign.Want more Stretty News coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustLast summer, the 44-year-old was reunited with Thomas Frank at Tottenham, having previously worked alongside him at Brentford. However, the Danish manager didn’t last long in North London. He was replaced by Igor Tudor, who had a disastrous brief spell before making way for Roberto De Zerbi.Therefore, Georgson should be on the move again, and he could end up at Carrington once more.According to The Athletic’s Man Utd correspondent Laurie Whitwell, the Red Devils are planning to add a free-kick specialist to Michael Carrick’s staff, and Georgson is one of the main candidates on the list.The journalist revealed as much during his appearance on the Stretford Paddock podcast, adding that the Swedish coach remains ‘highly admired’ at United. 🚨 #mufc are expected to strengthen Carrick’s staff, with a dedicated set‑piece coach high on the agenda. One name under consideration is Andreas Georgson, who was well‑regarded during his spell at the club in the 2024–25 season. Georgson is currently at Tottenham Hotspur,… pic.twitter.com/WItK1s0Dyp — The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) May 15, 2026Michael Carrick’s staff needs a set-piece expertIn the current day and age, set-piece drills have become one of the most elemental aspects of the modern game, and Arsenal’s success this season is the perfect case in point.While Michael Carrick is on the cusp of being confirmed as head coach, his staff could do with a dead-ball expert.The Wallsend native’s current team includes assistant coach Steve Holand, long-time associate Jonathan Woodgate, former Man Utd U21 head coach Travis Binnion, and recently-retired MUFC defender Jonny Evans.
Just in: Fresh blow for Man Utd as Ten Hag signing undergoes surgery – He’ll be out for three months
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt was forced to go under the knife to repair the long-standing damage in his back.The Dutchman started the campaign on a brilliant note, cementing himself as a regular starter for Ruben Amorim.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYHowever, the 26-year-old suffered a back injury in November and hasn’t made an appearance since.Matthijs de Ligt undergoes back surgeryAt first, De Ligt’s condition didn’t look too serious, and he was tipped to make a speedy recovery. However, almost six months have passed since the centre-back last played for United, raising major concerns among the fanbase.De Ligt had been making small steps in his recovery path, recently returning to grass training, although he continued to work on his own, away from the group.Want more Stretty News coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustBut on Friday afternoon, the Sun’s Manchester United correspondent, Samuel Luckhurst, revealed that the player underwent back surgery. Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery on his back injury. #mufc — Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 15, 2026Luckhurst revealed the news through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, before later adding that the surgery had been a success according to club sources.The journalist also revealed De Ligt is expected to make his return to action after three months, thus taking his time on the sidelines to nine months.What’s next for Man Utd & De LigtSadly for the defender, his injury ordeal hasn’t only wrecked his campaign but will also prevent him from taking part in this summer’s World Cup. Hence, it also represents a blow for the Dutch national team.Nevertheless, if surgery is the only way to fix this plaguing issue and allow the player to resume his career as normal, then it was past time to embark on this ship.The question remains whether Man Utd should resort to the market to reinforce their backline or confirm the current crop, while taking into account that De Ligt will require additional time to regain his best athletic condition once he’s medically cleared, as nine months on the shelf will certainly take its toll on his body.Most Man Utd fans wouldn’t mind the arrival of a new defender, but if Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, and Leny Yoro are all fit at the start of the season, Michael Carrick should have enough options at his disposal to kickstart the campaign while waiting for De Ligt to rejoin the fold.
Insider reveals key detail in Carrick’s imminent new contract with Man Utd keen to avoid past mistakes
Michael Carrick, Manager of Middlesbrough pictured during the Sky Bet Championship match between Coventry City FC and Middlesbrough FC at The Coventry Building Society Arena on May 03, 2025 in Coventry, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) Manchester United have been carefully crafting their contract offer for Michael Carrick, as they do not wish to replicate past blunders.The 44-year-old returned to the club as interim head coach in January following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe former midfielder managed to steer Man Utd back in the right direction, registering 10 wins, three draws, and two defeats in his first 15 games in charge, thus securing a return to the Champions League and effectively guaranteeing a Top 3 finish.Michael Carrick offered a two-year contractIn recent months, there have been widespread calls for Carrick to be handed the permanent role based on the club’s improved results and performances, especially given the lack of available top-notch profiles.Nevertheless, INEOS have been biding their time, preferring to wait until the end of the season to make the decision.While the hierarchy has yet to communicate the decision, the most reliable sources in the British media all believe that an internal decision has already been made regarding Carrick, who is destined to prolong his stay at Carrington.Want more Stretty News coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustMan Utd CEO Omar Berrada and the club’s Football Director Jason Wilcox have agreed that the Wallsend native is the best option for the role in the current circumstances, and they’re only waiting for the club’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to ratify the decision.In his latest update on RoundTable, MUFC insider Sully revealed the details behind the club’s contract offer for Carrick.The journalist expects the 44-year-old to be handed a two-year contract with an option for a third season. Sully adds that Carrick has already been acting as the de facto permanent head coach, with the management including him in the player recruitment process ahead of the summer transfer market.Why Man Utd shouldn’t hand Carrick a long-term dealWhile many fans are hoping to see Carrick dwell at Carrington for years to come, the Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst believes it is important to avoid handing the current boss a long-term contract.Luckhurst notes that no Man Utd manager reached the three-year mark in the post-Ferguson era, while recalling how David Moyes was given a whopping six-year deal, only to be sacked in the middle of his first campaign in charge. Man Utd Managers EPL Matches in Charge Points Average Michael Carrick 17 2.18 Sir Alex Ferguson 810 2.16 Ruud van Nistelrooy (caretaker) 2 2.00 Jose Mourinho 93 1.89 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 109 1.81 Louis van Gaal 76 1.79 Ryan Giggs (caretaker) 4 1.75 Erik ten Hag 85 1.72 David Moyes 34 1.68 Ralf Rangnick 24 1.54 Ruben Amorim 47 1.23 Stats by StatMuseAs for Carrick, his confirmation is in itself a well-deserved achievement he should be proud of. And as long as he delivers good results and shows a path towards a better future, the hierarchy would be happy to push back the deadline of his contract.
“So good” – Bruno Fernandes delighted with Man Utd wonderkid who could be his natural successor
Although his team missed out on the FA Youth Cup, Manchester United teenager Jim Thwaites showcased his worth once, suggesting he might be Bruno Fernandes’ long-term heir.The Man Utd U18 team clashed head with the crosstown rivals Man City in Wednesday’s final. The young Cityzens prevailed by two goals to one thanks to Reigan Heskey, the son of the former England strike, Emile.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYNevertheless, the Red Devils did produce a moment of magic during the game, when Thwaites and Godwill Kukonki combined to score the equaliser, responding for Floyd Samba’s opener.Jim Thwaites shines for Man Utd U18 under Bruno Fernandes’ watchful eyeWhile the towering Kukonki nodded home the header following a clever run the box, Thwaites earned the bulk of the plaudits for picking up his teammate with an exquisite inswinger.Both players were described as ‘so good’, with fans and observers envisioning a future for the duo with the senior squad, perhaps as early as next season. Jim Thwaites & Godwill Kukonki are so good. They will be playing first team football for Manchester United very soon. Thwaites isn’t far away at all. pic.twitter.com/abgT6VMfBU https://t.co/635kN3gvbe — Adam (@AdamJoseph) May 14, 2026Another user on X (formerly Twitter) noticed how Bruno’s enchanted reaction, as watched on from the stands alongside his MUFC teammates, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.Want more Stretty News coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustThe Man Utd captain, who is only only assist away from equalling Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne’s Premier League record per season, is renowned for picking up his teammates with this sort of sublime passes. Bruno Fernandes was smiling cuz he sees himself in Jim Thwaites especially the way he crossed that to Kukonki to tie it 1-1 in the u18 final#FAYouthCup#ManchesterDerby#MUFC pic.twitter.com/4y9zE6JTIV — 1️⃣9️⃣0️⃣4️⃣🫡 (@OvaDaBush) May 14, 2026Is there a place for Thwaites at Man Utd’s senior squad next season?Interestingly, Thwaites’ talent has often been compared to Pedri’s, but Man Utd supporters are starting to pick up similaraties between the teenager and their captain.The 18-year-old has already trained with the first team on several occasions, and was part of last month’s camp in Dublin. Therefore, many beleive that Thwaites is a genuine candidate for a first-team spot next season, especially with so many vacancies to fill in the middle of the park.The teenager wouldn’t necessarily serve as Bruno’s understudy in the No.10 role, given that Mount is expected to stay, but he could be an option for the double pivot where is most accustomed to, perhaps as a backup for Kobbie Mainoo.Either way, the future looks bright for the young Englishman, who certainly has the required talent to make it at the highest level. Jim Thwaites vs Manchester City [@khanmufc_] pic.twitter.com/IXTryMBeE6 — Morgan (@utdscope) May 14, 2026
‘Standout’ EPL star ‘very open’ to joining Man Utd after initial contact with his entourage
Manchester United are zooming in on West Ham United youngster Mateus Fernandes, who might become their first summer signing.The Red Devils need to sign at least two new central midfielders for next season to make up for Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s potential sale.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe Premier League giants have long been linked with Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Sandro Tonali, but Mateus Fernandes is slowly but steadily creeping his way up the shortlist.Man Utd & Mateus Fernandes express mutual interestThe 21-year-old is a Sporting CP youth product who signed for Southampton in the summer of 2024. Despite the Saints’ relegation, he still impressed in his maiden Premier League campaign, thus earning a £38 million move to West Ham United.History could be about to repeat itself for the young Portuguese, as the Hammers currently reside 18th in the Premier League table with only two rounds left, but he still managed to earn himself more suitors.Fernandes has been identified as one of West Ham’s ‘standout’ performers this season. He contributed with five goals and four assists in his 40 appearances across all competitions, and more importantly, he has been displaying a never-say-die attitude during the club’s darkest hour. Mateus Fernandes in 25/26 Appearances Goals Assists Premier League (West Ham) 34 3 3 FA Cup (West Ham) 2 1 0 Carabao Cup (West Ham) 1 1 0 Championship (Southampton) 3 0 1 Therefore, the Olhao native has now emerged as a serious target for Man Utd, and his candidacy is endorsed by his compatriot, Bruno Fernandes, who happens to be his football role model.Want more Stretty News coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustIn his latest update on X (formerly Twitter), Carrington insider Sully confirmed MUFC’s concrete interest in Fernandes, who has expressed his openness to a summer move. However, West Ham are eyeing a comprehensive windfall.“Mateus Fernandes is attracting serious interest from MUFC and is high on the midfielder shortlist,” posted the journalist.“Some initial contact took place with his representatives too, just to gauge early interest, and he is very open to a potential move. WHU will want a ‘significantly’ larger fee than what they paid for him, even if they go down.”PSG & Arsenal also tracking FernandesSully also revealed that Champions League finalists, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, are both in the fray. Nevertheless, the reigning European champions are more interested in acquiring attackers rather than midfielders, which could give the Premier League giants the advantage.“Multiple clubs have Fernandes on their radar, including PSG and Arsenal. However, I’ve heard that PSG are currently prioritising their attack first in the summer. It’ll become more clear in the next weeks what United’s steps are as we near the summer, with concrete steps starting to take place for their targets.” Mateus Fernandes is attracting serious interest from #MUFC and is high on the midfielder shortlist. Some initial contact took place with his representatives too, just to gauge early interest, and he is very open to a potential move. #WHU will want a ‘significantly’ larger fee… pic.twitter.com/53d9ibgoLQ — Sully (@SullyTalkz) May 14, 2026At this early stage, Man Utd are not in advanced negotiations with any of their targets, so the identity of the newcomers remains anyone’s guess.However, Fernandes certainly represents an interesting profile, considering his young age, maturity, fighting spirit, and ability to cover various roles in the middle of the park.The young Portuguese is originally a box-to-box midfielder, but he can also play in a slightly deeper position as No.6, or in a more advanced role behind the attackers.
