Manchester United are considering selling captain Bruno Fernandes amid interest from the Saudi Pro League with two major targets picked out to replace the club captain.
Man Utd identify two priority targets
Amorim stressed the importance of securing a much-needed Old Trafford win when Manchester United host “top team” Bournemouth on Monday, looking to continue a run of form which has seen United pick up seven points from three matches since the disappointment against Everton. Captain Fernandes has been phenomenal in that run, scoring twice and providing three assists, but INEOS are now open to the Portugal star's departure in order to fund new signings.
According to a recent report, Saudi Pro League clubs are set to offer Fernandes a way out of Old Trafford, with both Al Hilal and Al Ittihad considering a move in the region of £70m. INEOS view the 31-year-old as the club's most sellable asset and as someone worth cashing in on before his value decreases, with his contract set to expire in just over 18 months. The Red Devils do hold an option to extend his stay by another year until June 2028, but they have identified two top targets which will require funds in Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson and Brighton and Hove Albion enforcer Carlos Baleba. Both players could cost club record fees and INEOS are determined to make United financially secure while rebuilding Amorim's squad. Forest are set to demand '£100m-plus' for Anderson while Baleba's price is in the region of £74m.
Mainoo could be sold instead
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Manchester United have one star in their ranks who could suffer the same fate as Kobbie Mainoo.
The other option on offer to INEOS is to cash in on their homegrown talent Kobbie Mainoo. While the 20 year-old's value has suffered after falling out of favour this season, his status as an England international guarantees a good return which would go down as pure profit. Chelsea are reportedly interested in a move for the young midfielder while there is also interest from Napoli in Serie A, where fellow United academy product Scott McTominay has thrived since joining in 2024. Speaking in September, Amorim defended his decision to continually leave Mainoo out of his team: "I understand what you are saying. You love Kobbie… But that doesn’t mean I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn’t put Kobbie [in], so it’s my decision.”