Mark Critchley

@TheAthleticFC | [email protected]

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Manchester United confirm proposed location of their new, 100,000-seater stadium

Drawings released only to show location, not the final design - the canopy could still happen

No decision on the future of the existing Old Trafford https://t.co/Q7ebhtW7LQ

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 EXCL: Manchester United reach agreement with Chelsea to sign Andrey Santos. Deal for 22yo #CFC midfielder worth £48m + £2m easily achievable add-ons & 10% sell-on clause. Permission given to undergo #MUFC medical; personal terms in place @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/TY4qfwhHT4

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 Manchester United exploring deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea. No club talks yet - enquiries by multiple suitors to 22yo’s agents. #MUFC keen but will depend on price. #CFC would not block move if suits all parties @TheAthleticFC after @Will_Unwin https://t.co/Tu9nemUkcG

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Manchester United elevated Mateus Fernandes to their priority midfield target towards the end of the season, once it became clear that Nottingham Forest’s demands for first-choice Elliot Anderson would be too steep and that his likely destination would be Manchester City.

In early June, Old Trafford’s leadership were reluctant to meet West Ham United’s demands, but serious competition from north London made their hopes of reaching a compromise more challenging.

According to one Tottenham source, Roberto De Zerbi’s admiration was key in advancing that interest and establishing Fernandes as a priority.

Spurs have approached this summer window with a determination to back their head coach, and to be ruthless and decisive in their pursuit of targets.

Bruno Fernandes helped with attempts to persuade the 21-year-old that Old Trafford should be his next destination.

According to one source, Fernandes was convinced by Tottenham’s offer, believing he would play a significant role under De Zerbi, whose playing style could maximise his potential.

As Spurs decisively closed the agreement with West Ham, some at Old Trafford felt they would have been outbid regardless of how much they offered.

Personal terms had not been expected to be an issue for Manchester United, but Tottenham’s salary offer was also viewed as beyond what the Old Trafford hierarchy were willing to commit to.

📝 @mjcritchley

🔗 https://t.co/Dz4Q1gyucZ

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has rejoined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan.

Onana was expected to return to Carrington for pre-season training after making 33 appearances on loan at the Turkish Super Lig club last season, as well as winning the Turkish Cup.

Trabzonspor have been eager to extend the Cameroon international’s stay, however, with no prospect of him playing regularly again at Manchester United.

✍️ @mjcritchley

🔗 https://t.co/PB4tntikRa

[Stretford Paddock @StretfordPaddck]

🫣 Where do #MUFC go next after missing out on their initial midfield targets?!

@mjcritchley of The Athletic joins us for an exclusive interview! 🔴

🔗 https://t.co/xJAXpbtMqs

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham Hotspur win race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United. Spurs submitted highest proposal (believed to be ~£85m guaranteed) & 21yo #WHUFC midfielder opted to join #THFC. Numbers beyond where #MUFC willing to go @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/8JMyfl8LoS

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Manchester United have made enquiries about Felix Nmecha's availability this summer

Dortmund midfielder is a player Jason Wilcox knows well and among options being considered. Nmecha believed to want a Premier League move

w/ @SebSB https://t.co/ZuNZGjs0Gg

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 Man Utd midfield recruitment plans unaffected by Manuel Ugarte injury. Mateus Fernandes immediate priority + others also being considered. Might impact #MUFC signing left-sided forward though - raises likelihood of Marcus Rashford staying @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/WUN7skd1TC

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Some hope in Uruguay yesterday Ugarte’s issue might not be as bad as feared as he waited for scans, but a knee ligament injury is a big blow. Timescale, treatment and implications for #mufc’s window to be confirmed

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 Manuel Ugarte likely to miss extended period with knee ligament injury sustained in Uruguay loss to Spain at #FIFAWorldCup. Issue subject to ongoing tests over severity but 25yo Manchester United midfielder looks set for lengthy spell out @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Wt59frx8s8

[David Ornstein @David_Ornstein]

🚨 Manuel Ugarte likely to miss extended period with knee ligament injury sustained in Uruguay loss to Spain at #FIFAWorldCup. Issue subject to ongoing tests over severity but 25yo Manchester United midfielder looks set for lengthy spell out @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Wt59frx8s8

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Omar Berrada on Ruben Amorim, to @ftweekend: “I think maybe where he got stuck is the size of the club… the scrutiny of your ideas and decisions is so constant that perhaps he struggled managing that.

“Not that it was too big for him, but he maybe cornered himself in a position where he wanted to stick in a very rigid manner to his ideas because he wanted to show everybody that it’s going to work.

“And in the context of the volatility of emotions you get by being part of Manchester United, when you lose two or three games in a row, then it’s the end the world. So I think that was very hard to manage.”

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Ruben Amorim "cornered himself" by sticking too rigidly to his ideas at #mufc, says Omar Berrada

Full quotes from Berrada speaking at @ftweekend Festival in New York last Saturday https://t.co/r6CORGftNs

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Andre Onana close to returning to Trabzonspor on another season-long loan

No option to buy, straight loan. Details still being finalised #mufc https://t.co/lqAHkqvHVu

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Manchester United have secured the majority of the land required to build a new 100,000-seater stadium to replace Old Trafford.

The club announced on Monday it has acquired a 25-acre site north west of the current stadium from Indurent, an industrial warehousing company.

The land is located around 350 metres away from Old Trafford’s existing site — between Wharfside Way, Europa Way and John Gilbert Way.

More from @mjcritchley ⬇️

🔗 https://t.co/Fx5PBYZEgj

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Does Marcus Rashford have a future at Manchester United?

A look at the current state of play, if an exit remains on the cards, and why this one could run and run https://t.co/d4qzU4X8v6

[Mark Critchley @mjcritchley]

Manchester United will play Hull City (a) and Ipswich Town (h) on opening weekends of 2026-27 Premier League season

Plenty of tough away days ahead of Champions League games follow, though https://t.co/1KsQn01O4E

[Laurie Whitwell @lauriewhitwell]

Explainer on #MUFC considering goalkeeper options, with Karl Darlow + Sam Johnstone among them.

Radek Vitek would be super deputy to Senne Lammens but set to go - on loan or permanent - to get regular minutes.

Experienced No 2 to push No 1 on agenda ⬇️

https://t.co/61Ewi8jAlI

[Andy Mitten @AndyMitten]

Michael Carrick on his ‘special’ first days in charge, connecting with players and his Man United vision
for @TheAthleticFC
https://t.co/jRnYberonE

[Jacob Whitehead @jwhitey98]

EXCLUSIVE: Ivory Coast starting striker Elye Wahi arrested on suspicion of alleged fixing offences just two weeks before World Cup.

The 23-year-old has not been charged but remains subject of an active investigation.

https://t.co/nUvcDULuBg