Rebuilding a Giant | Manchester United | EASFC 25

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Manchester United Set Sights on Era-Defining 2026–27 Season


Sir Jim Ratcliffe has big ambitions for Ruben Amorim and Manchester United in 2026-27.

Fresh off a historic quadruple-winning campaign, Manchester United enter the 2026–27 season with ambitions that match the club’s resurgent stature. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have made their expectations unmistakably clear: retain the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final. After conquering domestic football and the Europa League last year, the next step is asserting United’s dominance on the biggest stage in world football.

INEOS believe the foundation is already elite—record-breaking attacks, Europe’s most dynamic creators, and a core of young stars hitting their prime. But the mandate is to push the ceiling even higher. Plans are underway for a colossal summer window that could redefine the squad.

Sources around the club indicate United intend to sign four of the best players on the planet, marquee additions who can elevate the XI in key positions and give the team the individual match-winners needed for Champions League glory. Alongside those headline signings, recruitment will also focus on the future: three elite talents aged 20 or younger are expected to join, reinforcing the club’s long-term strategy of blending world-class stars with high-upside prospects.

With the Premier League trophy back at Old Trafford, a world-class manager in place, and a squad bursting with belief, United now aim for the one mountain they have yet to climb under INEOS ownership: reclaiming their place among Europe’s absolute elite.

The message is clear going into 2026–27: last season was the beginning—not the peak (see a full list of board objectives below).

Domestic Success - High

• Short Term: Premier League: Win the League Title
• Short Term: Emirates FA Cup: Win the Cup

Continental Success - Critical

• Short Term: UEFA Champions League: Reach the Final

Youth Development - Critical

• Short Term: Sign 2 players in your Youth Academy assigned to the defender position.
• Short Term: Sign at least 3 players younger than 20 years old with potential greater than the average overall rating of players currently in the same position.

Brand Exposure - Critical

• Short Term: Get 5 wins in cup matches
• Long Term: Within 3 seasons sign 4 of the best players in the world.

Financial - Low

• Long Term: Within 3 seasons, increase your club worth by 25% through players sales and competition prize money rewards. (Remaining seasons: 1)

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Manchester United Sell Mason Mount to Crystal Palace for £17M


Mason Mount has been deemed surplus to requirements.

Manchester United have agreed to sell Mason Mount to Crystal Palace for £17 million, bringing an end to his three-year spell at Old Trafford. While Mount remained a professional presence within the squad, the coaching staff ultimately determined that his pace and physical profile no longer suited the demands of the left attacking midfield role in United’s high-intensity system. With the club shifting toward quicker, more direct wide creators, Mount became surplus to requirements. The move allows him to rejuvenate his career with regular minutes at Palace while United free up space for incoming reinforcements.

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Manchester United In Shock as Captain Bruno Fernandes Joins Real Madrid


Real Madrid triggered Bruno Fernandes £90M release clause as the United captain made a stunning switch to the Spanish giants.

Manchester United have been rocked by the unexpected departure of captain Bruno Fernandes, who has joined Real Madrid after the Spanish giants activated a secret £90 million release clause written exclusively for them in his contract. The clause, long believed to be theoretical and unlikely to ever come into play, was triggered without warning, leaving United powerless to negotiate.

Fernandes, who led United to a historic treble of domestic and European trophies last season and captained the club to the Premier League title, issued an emotional statement to supporters.

"To the United fans, I am truly sorry," he said. "I never wanted to let you down, and leaving a club that has given me everything is incredibly difficult. But Real Madrid has always been a dream for me. After what we achieved together last season, I felt I had earned the right to take this step. I hope you can understand."

Despite the shock and disappointment, INEOS sources insist the club will reinvest the full fee, with plans already underway to reshape the midfield and maintain the title ambitions for 2026–27. United now face the challenge of replacing one of their defining players of the modern era.

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Rashford to be Handed Captaincy, #10 Shirt Following Fernandes Departure


Marcus Rashford will wear the armbandfor the 2026-27 season after the departure of Fernandes.

Following Bruno Fernandes’ departure, Marcus Rashford has been appointed Manchester United captain, marking a new era for the club. At 28, Rashford reclaims his beloved No. 10 shirt and will step into the starting LAM role, filling the void left by Fernandes.

Takefusa Kubo inherits the No. 8 shirt, symbolically continuing the creative mantle.

Rashford is coming off a strong season as an impact substitute, though he expressed quiet frustration about limited starts. Now, he has the platform he craved: to lead, to inspire, and to prove himself as a cornerstone of INEOS’ project.

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Luke Shaw Joins Brighton for £27M as United Look to get Younger


Shaw departs United after over a decade at the club.

Manchester United have completed the sale of Luke Shaw to Brighton for £27M. The 31-year-old left-sided centre-back, who has been a stalwart at the club for over a decade, has been moved on as the club looks to refresh its defensive ranks with younger talent. Shaw’s experience and leadership have been invaluable, but with Branthwaite and academy graduates ready to step into the left centre-back role, the club believes it is the right time to transition. United thank Shaw for his service and professionalism and wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.

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Antony Joins Tottenham for £43.2M after Contract Dispute Ends in Departure


Antony wanted to be one of the highest wage earners at the club but INEOS did not oblige and sold him instead.

Manchester United have sold Antony to Tottenham for £41M following a contract dispute that could not be resolved. The Brazilian winger, who impressed with his pace and creativity since arriving at the club, leaves as the club looks to rebalance its wage structure and squad dynamics. Tottenham secure a high-quality attacking option to bolster their wide play, while United will look to promote from within and rely on emerging talents like Carreras and academy prospects to fill the void. The club thanks Antony for his contributions and professionalism during his time at Old Trafford and wishes him success in the next stage of his career.

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United Trigger Alvaro Carreras £56.1M Buy-Back Clause


One of the club's brightest sparks from its academy returns home.

Manchester United have officially activated the £56.1 million buy-back clause for 23-year-old left wing-back Álvaro Carreras, bringing the former academy standout back to Old Trafford. After excelling abroad and establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dynamic wide defenders, Carreras now returns to the club where his journey began, ready to take on a starring role. He will wear the iconic No. 11 shirt and is expected to start immediately at LWB, offering elite ball progression, tireless energy, and a natural connection to United’s identity. His return signals a renewed commitment to youth-driven, attack-minded football under the current regime.

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United Replace Shaw with Jarrad Branthwaite for £40M


United upgrade at left-center back Jarrad Branthwaite.

Manchester United have signed 24-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite, a player the club has monitored closely since INEOS first took control. Brought in as a direct replacement for Luke Shaw at left-sided centre-back, Branthwaite is expected to slot straight into the starting XI and wear the #3 shirt. The English defender combines physicality, pace, and ball-playing ability, making him well-suited to the club’s system under Amorim. United see him as a long-term solution in defence and a key component of their plan to refresh the squad with younger talent. The club is excited to welcome Branthwaite and looks forward to his contribution on and off the pitch.

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United Trigger Evan Ferguson's £23.5M Release Clause


Ferguson joins a long line of successful Irish players at United.

Manchester United have completed the signing of Evan Ferguson after activating the striker’s £23.5 million release clause at Nottingham Forest. The 21-year-old Irish forward arrives as a high-upside addition to Rúben Amorim’s attack, offering a rare blend of physicality, intelligent movement, and link-up play. Ferguson is expected to serve as the primary backup to Rasmus Højlund while also pushing the Dane through genuine competition for the No. 9 role. United view the fee as a bargain for a player with Premier League experience, long-term potential, and a profile perfectly suited to Amorim’s aggressive, vertical system. Ferguson will wear the No. 18 shirt.

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United Sign Adam Wharton for £40M


Wharton joins and is ready to form an all-English midfield with Kobbie Mainoo.

Manchester United have signed 20-year-old Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace for £40M, bringing in a talented English midfielder to strengthen the club’s homegrown core. Wharton arrives as a replacement for Baleba, who showed promise last season but ultimately did not meet the standards required for a starting role at Old Trafford. The 6'0" midfielder is known for his composure on the ball, tactical intelligence, and ability to drive attacks from central midfield. United see Wharton as a long-term solution in midfield, combining immediate quality with the potential to develop into a cornerstone of the English core, complementing players like Kobbie Mainoo and ensuring continuity in the squad’s academy-focused identity.