Manchester United To Sign Premier League Proven Talent Again, Says Berrada

Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada indicates the club are ready to prioritise Premier League proven signings again after the 2025-26 campaign, stressing that recruitment plans will follow a clear structure as Manchester United target another season of Champions League qualification and stability under Michael Carrick.

Berrada explains that Manchester United intend to repeat last summer’s approach, which blended players with league experience and overseas talent, while continuing to work within long-term financial and sporting limits, as the club prepare detailed plans for the upcoming transfer window and possible squad changes.

“The template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways,” Berrada said on the club’s Inside Carrington podcast on Thursday. “You always go into a window, and you don’t know how you’re going to come out of it. You have to be really prepared. You have to have a clear plan and know exactly what positions you’re looking to strengthen.”

The previous summer window had already signalled a shift, as Manchester United moved away from a spell without domestic recruits since 2023-24, when Mason Mount and Jonny Evans arrived, towards a targeted policy that placed stronger emphasis on proven Premier League performers in key attacking positions.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arrived from Brentford and Wolves and both produced important numbers for Manchester United. Mbeumo delivered 15 goal contributions in all competitions, with 12 goals and three assists, second only to Bruno Fernandes’ 31, while Cunha added 10 goals and two assists.

Another major arrival, Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, settled well into Carrick’s system at Old Trafford. Sesko ended the 2025-26 season with 12 goals across 32 matches, giving Manchester United another reliable attacking option and supporting the argument for a balanced recruitment model combining profiles and leagues.

Bruno Fernandes, records and Manchester United transfers considerations

Bruno Fernandes produced a standout domestic campaign that influenced Manchester United’s transfer thinking. The midfielder set a new single-season record for assists in the competition with 21, moving ahead of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, after creating another goal against Brighton during the run-in.

Fernandes has also now scored and assisted in 19 Premier League games for Manchester United. Only Wayne Rooney, with 35 such matches, and Ryan Giggs, with 22, have managed that combination more frequently for the club, underlining Fernandes’ importance when Manchester United assess any future transfer decisions.

The Portugal international attracted interest from Al-Hilal during the previous summer, and Fernandes has not ruled out a possible move following the World Cup. That situation leaves Manchester United weighing leadership, output and market options while Berrada and recruitment staff refine Manchester United transfers priorities for the squad.

Manchester United transfers targets and long-term squad planning

Manchester United are reported to hold an interest in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes and Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, with Berrada stating the club are tracking players judged able to cope immediately with Premier League demands, alongside others performing strongly in different European leagues and environments.

Atalanta midfielder Ederson is also reported to be close to joining Manchester United, with a fee of about £35m (€40.5m) understood to be agreed between the clubs. Strengthening central midfield is viewed as a key priority as Manchester United attempt to sustain form from the 2025-26 season.

“We have a clear plan. I think what we saw last season is a good way forward for us, which is we want a mix of experience and youth. We want a mix of players who have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and perhaps also players who are doing very well outside the Premier League. We will always do it within our terms and ensuring that whatever decision we take is not just for the short term but also the long term.”

Manchester United transfers, leadership and Bruno Fernandes’ future

The club must also address Fernandes’ long-term status, given recent records and the interest already shown from abroad. Berrada highlights Fernandes’ influence beyond statistics as Manchester United weigh the captain’s role within the broader recruitment and retention strategy for the next stage.

“In Bruno we have a fantastic captain, absolutely fantastic,” Berrada said of Fernandes.”We’d like him to stay, of course we do. He’s had a great season on the pitch. More importantly, I think he’s shown to everybody that he’s a great leader. People don’t see what he does off the pitch. He represents the club really well. He understands the values of the club.”

Manchester United now move towards the next transfer window with a defined strategy shaped by the contributions of Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko and Fernandes, a clearer focus on Premier League readiness, and parallel efforts to secure targets such as Ederson while seeking clarity on the captain’s future.