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Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Omar Berrada confirms Man Utd's 'roadmap' to success with Ruben Amorim verdict
Manchester United are desperate to bounce back from a dismal season that saw the team finish 15th, but that hasn't stopped chief Omar Berrada boldly predicting the club could win the title by 2028 After their worst-ever Premier League finish, the notion of Manchester United being crowned champions any time soon is as fanciful as it is laughable. United finished last season in 15th place, but chief executive Omar Berrada has doubled down on his belief they will lift the Premier League trophy by 2028 – if not before. Berrada launched Project 150, the bold aim of which is for United to win a 21st league title by 2028, the year the club celebrates its 150th anniversary. But after the shambles of last season, when United suffered 18 league defeats, failed to get beyond the quarter-finals of both domestic cups and lost the Europa League final to ensure no European football next term, the situation is as bleak as it has ever been in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Despite that, Berrada is confident with boss Ruben Amorim in charge, the right player recruitment and stability off the field in terms of the club's finances, United can reach the top again within three years. Asked if winning the title in that timeframe was realistic, Berrada told "Of course. We've just finished 15th and it seems like an impossible task. But why not aim for it? Why not do everything in our power? "I firmly believe that we can do it. We have two or three summer windows to build a team to start competing to win the Premier League and if we can achieve it before then, we'll all be happy — and so nobody's saying that we don't want to win it until then.' Berrada added: "Project 150 is a very simple idea. We're going to celebrate our 150th anniversary in June 2028, an important milestone in the history of the club. It's a way of setting a time-bound period where we're going to focus our efforts to achieve certain goals. "All we're saying is we're setting ourselves a target with a specific timeframe to go and aim for because if you just said 'we want to win the Premier League' - great, but by when? So this way, again it's from the ownership to management, to everybody in the club, we have a target, we have a mission and that's what we want to achieve." Berrada admitted appointing Amorim a third of the way through last season was always likely to bring difficulties, given his insistence on playing a 3-4-3 formation unfamiliar to the players he inherited from Erik ten Hag. But Berrada said United were willing to accept short-term pain for long-term gain, in the knowledge 40-year-old Portuguese coach Amorim is the right man to lead the club back to its former glory days. "We knew that by bringing in Ruben mid-season that it was going to be even more difficult for the team to perform," Berrada added. "We saw it as an investment for the following seasons, because we were going to give time to Ruben to get to know the squad, the club, the Premier League. So by the time that we got to now, we'd have had all the discussions about what the squad needs and the two-to-three-year plan to get to a squad that's capable of winning the Premier League. "We have a very clear roadmap of how we're going to get there. Had Ruben started on July 1, 2025, we wouldn't have been able to have all that knowledge, right? And that's what I feel these seven or eight months that he's had. He's suffered in the Premier League, and the team has suffered. That's why I feel that it's really going to help us in the future. 'I firmly believe in Ruben as a coach and what he's trying to do. We've taken all the short-term pain this season but, as of this summer, the worst bit is going to be behind us. "I'm actually very optimistic and quite positive about what's ahead. Of course we need to get a lot of decisions right and we will make mistakes, there's no doubt. We'll try to minimise those. But what we want is to build something that's sustainable for the long, long term. "We've put ourselves in the best position possible by doing everything that we've had this year around cost-cutting. I'm confident we will come out of the window with a much stronger team than what we've gone into." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes' treatment of Man Utd backroom staff says a lot about him
Manchester United would be losing more than just an elite footballer if Bruno Fernandes leaves during the transfer window, following rumours linking him with a mega-money switch to Saudi Arabia There's hardly a Manchester United fan out there who isn't aware of the value Bruno Fernandes adds on the pitch. But while the focus of much of the attention around him concerns his level of performance, many might be unaware of the morals he promotes away from the field. With Ruben Amorim 's side failing to secure a place in Europe for next season, speculation has been rife that Fernandes could head for the exit. Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal have been fervently linked with the player's signature, not to mention they possess the funds to at least tempt United into a sale. But the Portuguese has decided to reject a move to Saudi Arabia, seemingly committing to Old Trafford, although rumours about his future are likely to continue until the transfer window slams shut at the end of the window. Fernandes, who turns 31 in September, is the captain at United but previously attracted criticism for his method of leadership. United icon Roy Keane infamously referred to the current squad as "f***ing imposters" in February and lumped much of the blame at Fernandes' feet for not coaxing more from his team-mates. Former Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw a different side of the player, however. And it wasn't long after Fernandes' arrival at Old Trafford in 2020 that he gave an anecdote revealing the grounded, humble approach of a player that set him apart. "It was off the field as well as in training," said Solskjaer on the High Performance Podcast back in July of that year. "He demands off me. He demands off his team-mates. "The first day he was in the club, he shook everyone's hand. He didn't come in here thinking, 'I'm the big shot.' No, he shook absolutely every staff members' hand." It's testament to a player who had just completed a £67million transfer to one of the biggest clubs in the world. Needless to say many would not and do not behave with such modesty in similar positions. Fernandes' qualities on match days are undeniable, as his award for United's Player of the Season this term will attest. He has also won the Premier League's Player of the Month award on five occasions, just two fewer than record-holder Sergio Aguero, who played in England for a decade compared to Fernandes' five-and-a-half seasons thus far. In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, great talents have come and gone at United, some with only disappointment to show for their efforts. But signing those with true grit and the kind of intangibles Fernandes often exhibits has proved more rare. One could argue seeing those leadership qualities leave would be even more damaging than losing Fernandes' on-ball ability. Genuine fighters are seemingly few and far between at Old Trafford right now, and the Portugal ace is likely the best example in the current squad. In the event Fernandes does leave this summer, his new club will be gaining a paragon of professionalism, as well as an elite footballer. And as United's transfer history over the past decade and more goes to show, that's something money can't always buy.
Metro
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Bruno Fernandes makes final decision over Man Utd exit after 'crazy' offer
Bruno Fernandes was offered a 'crazy' contract by Al Hilal (Picture: Getty) Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has rejected a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, according to reports. Fernandes, arguably United's best and most important player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, has been weighing up a sensational offer from Al Hilal. The Saudi giants were ready to pay Fernandes around £200m over a three-year period after making him their No. 1 transfer target this summer. Fernandes' camp held positive talks with Al Hilal over the weekend, with Manchester United open to a deal despite his immense influence due to their difficult financial situation. But, according to Fabrizio Romano, Fernandes has now rejected a move to Saudi as he wants to continue 'playing at the top level' in Europe. Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. The 30-year-old's decision will come as welcome news to Manchester United fans who were forced to endure another dismal campaign. The Red Devils finished just 15th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European football after losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Missing out on the Champions League is believed to have cost United around £100m and for that reason Old Trafford bosses were open to selling Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker has been one of the most influential players in the Premier League since his £47m move from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Fernandes has scored 62 goals and provided 51 assists in 195 Premier League games and won United's Player of the Year award four times. Ruben Amorim was desperate for Fernandes to stay put but the opportunity to raise around £100m for a 30-year-old would have been too good to refuse for those higher up at the club. Amorim is keen to welcome several of his own signings to Manchester this summer but, as things stand, only has around £100m to spend. United have already triggered the £62.5m release clause of Matheus Cunha and are interested in Brentford's £50-rated Bryan Mbeumo. More Trending But with Fernandes deciding to snub a move to Saudi, Manchester United will need to go down other avenues to raise some cash. They have held talks with Inter Milan over a deal for £72m transfer flop Rasmus Hojlund and are ready to get Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony off their books. While Fernandes will not be moving to Saudi Arabia, United goalkeeper Andre Onana has attracted interest from the division and could be sold following an inconsistent season. More to follow… Arrow MORE: Gary Neville makes early Premier League title prediction: 'I've got to double down!' Arrow MORE: Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres – which striker should Arsenal sign?
Metro
02-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Man Utd ready to sell second star to Saudi Arabia after Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United are willing to sell a second player to Saudi Arabia as Bruno Fernandes considers ditching the Premier League giants for Al Hilal. Fernandes, United's best and most important player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, has held talks over a lucrative summer move to the Saudi Pro League club. The Old Trafford captain is yet to make a final decision on his future but is believed to be leaning towards leaving United for a move that would earn him around £200m over three years. Ruben Amorim is desperate to keep Fernandes at the club but Manchester United are open to a sale given their poor financial position. Failing to qualify for the Champions League cost the club around £100m and selling Fernandes for around that figure would bolster Amorim's summer transfer kitty. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. As things stand and before any sales, United will only have around £100m to spend and that will not go far considering the Manchester giants have already activated the £62.5m release clause of Wolves star Matheus Cunha. Amorim is desperate for significant investment after Manchester United finished just 15th in the Premier League but that will require several outgoings. United have already released Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof but the club are also open to selling Andre Onana. Like Fernandes, Onana has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League despite an inconsistent and disappointing season at Old Trafford. The Cameroon international arrived at United having just helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League final but there have been calls for the £47.5m to be replaced. According to Fabrizio Romano and The United Stand, Old Trafford bosses are open to the idea of selling Onana and will 'entertain offers' from rival clubs this summer. Recent reports have claimed Onana is in advanced talks with newly-promoted Saudi Pro League side Neom SC but while United would be open to talks, The United Stand say this is yet to occur. Most Manchester United fans are dreading the prospect of Fernandes leaving but club legend Paul Scholes believes an offer of £100m would be too good to refuse. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, he said: 'They are talking about £100m for him, Man United cannot say no to that. 'I know he has been brilliant and carried the team on his back, but where does he actually play, what is his position? 'Do you see him as a number 10? Do you see him as a holding midfielder? He almost confuses the whole system. I mean, he has been brilliant, don't get me wrong. 'But when you're getting £100m for him, you snap your hands and take it.' Manchester United manager Amorim, meanwhile, is confident Fernandes has not played his last game for the club. 'I don't think so, I don't know for sure,' he said at the end of United's post-season tour of Asia. 'Nobody knows but I don't think so. More Trending 'I think he is seeing us taking some actions to change all the things and I think he saw that and I think he wants to stay. 'He is saying no to a lot of things but he shows he wants to win. He's really young, he's really good he needs to be in the best league in the world.' Since his £67m from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, Fernandes has scored 98 goals in 290 appearances for Manchester United and provided 51 assists in the Premier League alone. The 30-year-old has been named the club's Player of the Year four times in five full seasons at Old Trafford. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Rio Ferdinand says it 'hurts' that Man Utd were beaten to £29.5m signing by bitter rivals MORE: Liverpool fans fear £37m star is leaving after girlfriend's social media post MORE: Man Utd transfer target told he is making mistake by choosing Chelsea instead
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester United are 'keen' to sign Joao Pedro
Manchester United are interested in signing Brighton and Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro this summer, according to a report. Sky Sports' senior reporter Rob Dorsett reveals the Red Devils are 'keen' on the Brazilian international after an impressive season at the Amex Stadium. Advertisement The 23-year-old attacker, who can operate in multiple positions throughout the front line, has scored 16 goals in all competitions for the Seagulls. He has also provided six assists. Pedro stand 6'0 with good link-up play and mobility, while retaining strong technical ability and a nose for a goal. But it's his versatility – having played as an attacking midfielder, a striker, or a winger throughout his career – which is likely to be the driving factor in United's interest. Head coach Ruben Amorim is targeting reinforcements in the number ten and number nine positions after watching his side struggle going forward all season. Advertisement Pedro would offer the former Sporting manager a Premier League-proven option with a track record of goals in both positions. However, United face competition for the Brazilian from rivals Chelsea and Liverpool who Dorsett reveals are both interested in a move this summer. The Sky Sports reporter suggests a fee in excess of £50 million will be needed to win the race but contends 'no bids [have been made] for the player so far'. Tweet: '#Cfc interested in #bhafc Joao Pedro, and the Brazilian is keen to talk to Chelsea if the two clubs can agree a fee for him. Other clubs including #lfc and #mufc also keen. No bids for the player so far, fee likely to be £50m+.' Advertisement There has undoubtedly been a shift in recruitment at Old Trafford towards players with Premier League experience. The club's two primary targets – Matheus Cunha (Wolves) and Liam Delap (Ipswich Town) – have been joined by interest in Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) and Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth). The fact that the Reds are now 'keen' on a Brighton forward underscores this focus domestically, rather than towards the continent as United often have looked in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Featured image Mike Hewitt via Getty Images Follow us on Bluesky: @
