Bruno Fernandes future clear, £66m duo join, Mainoo decision - Man Utd dream midfield next season

Captain Bruno Fernandes' leadership and charisma is going to be at the heart of Ruben Amorim's rebuild, the Manchester United manager has confirmed.

A critical summer approaches Old Trafford. On the one hand frugality is required to ensure Man United has a long and prosperous future, but on the other there must be a desire to kickstart the implementation of change - change that will truly hail in the Amorim era.

And as a first act, the manager is sticking by the club's captain of two years. Despite signing a new contract in August until 2027 to become one of the highest earners, rumours would have had people believe Fernandes' position was not secure looking ahead to the transfer window.

"No, it’s not going to happen," Amorim responded on Monday to suggestions of a departure. "That (becoming more competitive) is the challenge. I want Bruno here because maybe in the lowest moments of our season he... We want to win the Premier League again, so we want the best players to continue with us."

The 2024/25 campaign will be one recorded only faintly in the Man United history books but at least it would appear to be one that a manager able to make smart decisions has emerged.

Fernandes - as a capable leader and key influence on most things good that this side has done for multiple years now - is exactly where Man United should want him. There are priorities ahead of him to fix, and all will fall into place in due time.

Nailing down Fernandes is a start. Amorim keeps stability and the heart of his layered Man United midfield for the 2025/26 campaign.

But there is still work to be done. Who does he sign? Who does he let go?

As we all know, the manager has implemented his 3-4-3 system with two central midfielders and two more