Manchester United chief outlines transfer strategy and issues Bruno Fernandes verdict | OneFootball

Red Devils have decision to make over record-breaking star man

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada has outlined the club’s transfer strategy for this summer’s transfer window.

The Red Devils are looking to build on a third-placed finish in the Premier League, which saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2023-24 season.

Michael Carrick steadied the ship as interim manager after Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January, and he impressed the club hierarchy enough to land the job on a permanent basis.

As such, the former midfielder will now play a big part in shaping United’s recruitment strategy going forward.

Berrada believes that the club got their signings last summer right - and he wants a repeat of that this time around.

United landed Benjamin Sesko, Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to their squad ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, with all four going down as hits in most supporters’ eyes.

Signing of the season: Senne Lammens

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"The template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways," Berrada told United’s club media.

"You always go into a window. You don't know how you're going to come out of it. But you have to be really prepared. You have to have a clear plan. You have to know exactly what positions you're looking to strengthen.

"We have to be agile and flexible. But we have a clear plan.

"Jason Wilcox and his team are very well set up to execute that plan. What we saw last season is a good way forward for us, which is we want to gain some experience in youth.

"We want to make some players that have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and perhaps also with players that are doing very well outside the Premier League.

“But we will always do it within our terms and ensure that whatever decision we take is not just for the short term but also for the long term.”

Berrada, who took over as United’s CEO in July 2024, insisted that the Red Devils must be “disciplined” in the transfer market.

“It's simple,” he continued. “We have a plan. We know what we can invest and we have to stick to that.

"In some cases, we may decide to make an investment knowing that it's the right thing for not just the next two, three years but for the next 10 years."

Record breaker: Bruno Fernandes

PA

Berrada also issued a verdict on captain Bruno Fernandes, who admitted that he believed the club were looking to cash in on him last season, amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.

As such, that did not come to fruition, and the No8 stayed put at Old Trafford, where he is about to enter the final year of his contract.

"I think in Bruno, we have a fantastic captain. Absolutely fantastic," Berrada said.

"We'd like him to stay. Of course we do. He's had a great season on the pitch and more importantly, I think he's shown everybody that he is a great leader.

"People don't see what he does outside the pitch and he deserves a lot of credit."

"I think he's earned the right to continue leading the team over the next two years or more.

"I would describe him as somebody who is very calm but also very driven and I'm sure he'll do everything he can, he and his staff, to make sure that we have a successful team this season, next season and the year after.

“When we look at the squad and what we're trying to do over the next two years, he does bring the right attributes, the right ingredients, character, and understanding of the club to help us navigate through the next steps of our journey."