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Manchester United confirmed the arrival of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP subject to personal terms and a medical on Wednesday afternoon, before their Carabao Cup semi final second leg against Manchester City.

Fernandes jetted off on a private plane from Portugal to Manchester, with his move still to have those details ironed out. He will soon give his first interview as a United player and have his new squad number confirmed

It is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's fourth permanent signing as United boss, following the summer deals for Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.

United don't have long to complete any more deals this month, though they may consider loans for a striker if the right target comes up. Young goalkeeper Nathan Bishop is expected to join the development squad.

In terms of outgoings, Marcos Rojo is on the verge of a loan to Argentinian side Estudiantes.

Recap today's main transfer headlines below.

City vs United live blog

Man City hold the advantage over Manchester United as the two sides prepare to meet in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tonight at the Etihad Stadium.

Our live match blog is now up and running right now.

Manchester City take on Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City take on Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
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Fernandes' agent posts picture

https://www.instagram.com/p/B76XfBkAuGO/
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'Take care of Fernandes'

United fans have all replied: “We will.”

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Fernandes in transit

Here he comes!

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'United send scouts to watch Gomez'

United have reportedly send scouts to watch Valencia forward Maxi Gomez after making him a priority summer target.

Spanish media outlet Cadena Ser report that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on Gomez as he looks to reinforce his forward options.

It’s report that United watched Gomez against Barcelona - a game in which he scored both goals in a 2-0 win.

Maxi Gómez of FC Valencia
Maxi Gómez of FC Valencia (Image: DeFodi Images)
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Sporting's classy message

Sporting Lisbon have released an emotional and classy video bidding farewell to Manchester United’s new signing Bruno Fernandes.

The message read:

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

“Good luck and thank you, captain.”

Bruno Fernandes has joined United from Sporting CP
Bruno Fernandes has joined United from Sporting CP (Image: ANP Sport via Getty Images)
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Dalot welcomes fellow Portuguese player

He’s happy!

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United (finally) tweet the news

And a funky graphic to go with it. Fernandes is a red.

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Fans react to Fernandes deal

A few very happy United supporters here!

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Sporting's parting message to Fernandes

He was adored by his former club.

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Fernandes signs: Full story

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon captain Bruno Fernandes.

The MEN understands United will pay Sporting €55m up front and €10m in add-ons, subject to Champions League qualification and appearances. Sporting could bank another €15m in add-ons based on individual milestones the player may accomplish at Old Trafford.

In a statement, United said: “Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.

“A further announcement will be made in due course.”

United balked at Sporting Lisbon’s €80million valuation of Fernandes nearly two weeks ago but said at the time there was a determination to get the deal done before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline.

United were concerned about the ramifications a possible €80m Fernandes deal could have on their summer business, since they felt the Portugal international could present a benchmark issue and cause the valuations of other targets, such as James Maddison of Leicester City, to inflate.

Read more here

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Bruno Fernandes signed and sealed

Manchester United have announced that they have reached agreement with Sporting CP for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes.

A club statement confirms the deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.

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Stats

You cannot argue with these stats.

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Truth about United's 'interest' in Fenerbahce striker

The agent of Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi has played down speculation linking the player with Manchester United, Tottenham and Burnley.

Turkish media claimed United were among the Premier League clubs interested in Muriqi

But his agent Haluk Canatar has revealed the truth:

“Muriqi has a four-year contract agreement with Fenerbahce, we are of course delighted that some of the top clubs in Europe are interested in Muriqi and scouting him.

“But we are not considering a transfer in January there is a zero percent chance he leaves.

“We have been contacted by interested clubs I left these matters with Damien Comolli [ex-sporting director] and now with [CEO] Selahattin Baki.”

Vedat Muriqi of Fenerbahce.
Vedat Muriqi of Fenerbahce.
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'Tonight different from PSG'- Fred

Manchester United midfielder Fred has challenged his teammates to keep believing in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Man City — but played down the significance of their famous comeback victory against PSG last season, in which he played.

United are facing an uphill task to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg at Old Trafford, when they were entirely outplayed by City especially in the first half. But Fred, who spoke to United’s official website before the game, doesn’t think the PSG game will come into the equation too much.

They’re different games, one was in the Champions League in another country.

“They’re different types of games. The other game is against City in the same country, who play in the same championship as us, and we lost against them in the first leg.

“We need to think about the PSG game as it was a great comeback and also think about the big performance in the last match away against City.

“We know it will be very difficult but we’ll go for the win and believe in ourselves until the final whistle.

“We’d be really happy with a win and a place in the Carabao Cup final.”

United face City again on Wednesday
United face City again tonight
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Why Eric Bailly's return for Manchester United has been delayed

Man Utd centre-back Eric Bailly is available after a serious knee injury but is yet to play for the first team this season.

Read the full story here.

Eric Bailly.
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Fred on the belief in the United dressing room ahead of tonight's game

It’s going to take a huge performance from United to go through but Fred’s confident they can do it.

We have to believe. If we don’t believe in ourselves, who else will?” Fred told MUTV.

We’ll do everything possible to reverse City’s lead and do our best to get the win and make the final.

As I said, winning a trophy is really important for us. We have to do our best as it will help us this season, it will help us with all the challenges we face. Winning something would represent a big improvement.”

Manchester United's Fred in action vs Liverpool
(Image: 2020 CameraSport)
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Rojo's move has been a long time coming

He’s barely made any appearances.

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How Fernandes will improve United in two areas

After months of speculation, Bruno Fernandes is finally set to become a Manchester United player.

Negotiations between United and Sporting Lisbon have been ongoing for several weeks and, after a breakthrough was reached between the two clubs on Tuesday, Fernandes is set to undergo a medical and complete his move before Friday’s 11pm deadline.

Expectations at Old Trafford for the 25-year-old are high. He will arrive having established himself as one the Primeira Liga’s most acclaimed players and one of Europe’s most talked-about talents.

He was particularly impressive last season, when he finished the campaign having netted 32 goals across all competitions.

Additionally, he managed 12 assists - a tally he has already reached this season - and while there may be an understanding that the Portugal international could require a period of adaption, there does look to be at least two areas of United’s game that he could have an immediate impact on following his arrival.

See what those two areas are here.

Bruno Fernandes is close to joining United
Bruno Fernandes is close to joining United
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United squad vs City revealed

Nemanja Matic has recovered from a knock he picked up in the FA Cup win against Tranmere to be included in Manchester United’s squad to face Manchester City on Wednesday night.

United travel to the Etihad knowing they will have to overcome a two-goal deficit if they want to progress to the Carabao Cup final having lost the first leg 3-1 three weeks ago.

There were concerns over Matic going into the second leg after he was brought off at half-time in United’s 6-0 rout of Tranmere at Prenton Park on Sunday.

The state of the pitch raised potential injury concerns but it was only Matic who picked up a slight knock during the win and he is expected to be available.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and David de Gea have returned to the squad after they were rested against Tranmere.

See the full squad list here.

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Three stats for United to take encouragement from

Three pre-match statistics provided by Opta show United do have cause to be optimistic.

  • Manchester City have won just one of their last five home matches against Manchester United (W1 D1 L3), all in the Premier League between 2016 and 2019.
  • In all competitions, the home side has won just two of the last 11 matches between Man City and Man Utd (W2 D2 L7) – indeed, the away side has won five of the last six, including each of the last three.
  • Manchester United have progressed from two of their last three knockout ties when losing the first leg by two goals, eliminating Olympiakos and PSG in the Champions League last 16 in 2013-14 and 2018-19 respectively.
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United players arriving at team hotel

United’s players arrived at their hotel in Manchester a short while ago ahead of the derby.

Diogo Dalot

Harry Maguire

We’ll have the full squad for you very shortly.

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Solskjaer arriving at the team hotel

We should have squad news for you soon.

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Fernandes' goodbye to Sporting fan

Bruno Fernandes said a heartfelt goodbye to a young Sporting Lisbon fan ahead of his impending move to Manchester United.

United have held protracted negotiations with Sporting throughout January and the club is confident of finally sealing the transfer after a breakthrough in negotiations on Tuesday.

MEN Sport understands that a deal is close to being completed after United agreed an up-front fee of €55million (£46.56m) with Sporting, with the possibility of United paying a further €25million in add-ons.

€10million is subject to Champions League qualification and appearances while an extra €15million is based on individual milestones Fernandes may accomplish.

Read the full story here.

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Adeus bruno boa viagem

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Bailly explains why he didn't play against Tranmere

Eric Bailly said he understands why he was not handed his first appearance of the season against Tranmere in the FA Cup.

“I’ve always remained motivated, equally at my best, as well as in my worst moments of injury,” Bailly told United’s website. “I had some difficult times last year but, once those times have passed, they are the past, and it’s time to make the most of these opportunities now presenting themselves.


“I’m fit and well, I’m back training with the team, building confidence for my return. This is going to be a very important year.


“Given those conditions [at Tranmere], it wouldn’t have been the right pitch for a player returning from a long-term injury to start his returning match on such a surface.


“But I was happy to be with the team, to see them win the game, and that’s my focus, to prepare for the day when I’m back playing with them.”

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Mino Raiola condemns attack on Ed Woodward's house

United’s executive vice chairman’s house was targeted last night and Paul Pogba’s agent has spoken to The Athletic about the attack.

“If anyone has used me as a reason to create any anger towards Ed, they are totally in the wrong because my relationship with Ed is good, it is professional, and we don’t always need to agree but that’s normal. What happened last night is not normal. It is violence and I condemn any type of violence. These guys are morons and this is criminal behaviour,” he said.


“These people need to be locked up and re-educated. This cannot be part of sport. This is sport — S P O R T. This is not a question of life and death, it is entertainment.


“Do you think people attack the house of Brad Pitt if he makes a bad movie? Or does Quentin Tarantino get death threats because his film was not good? There is no reason or excuse, none whatsoever for this and Ed Woodward has my full support and solidarity.”

Read the full story here.

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Sol Campbell was asked about Bishop last night

Southend goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, who is reportedly about to join United, didn’t play last night and his manager at Southend, Sol Campbell, was asked why.

“He’s having a medical,” Campbell said.


“I don’t know where but if he passes the medical he’s gone.”

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Eric Bailly sends Ole Gunnar Solskjaer message

Bailly has thanked the club for the faith they have shown in him while he’s been out injured.

Through all the tough times I’ve had, the club has always shown a lot of faith in me,” he told MUTV. “And, as part of that show of confidence, they have given me this contract extension.


“So I need to be thankful for the confidence that they have shown in me, thankful and ready to give my best when I return to the team, to show them that I am completely behind the team, and, hopefully, to go on to lift some silverware in the future.


“There are still a lot of matches to be played. We’re still in all the different cups - the FA Cup, League Cup and the Europa League, as well as continuing to work in the Premier League. We’re going to keep on it in training and stay united as a team, right through to the end of the season.”

Eric Bailly.
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How Manchester United could line up after Bruno Fernandes transfer

Manchester United are closing in on Bruno Fernandes after several weeks of negotiations with Sporting Lisbon. Here’s a look at how he could fit into the team.

Read the story here.

Bruno Fernandes of Sporting CP
(Image: 2020 Quality Sport Images)
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Bruno Fernandes flight watch

Fernandes is expected in Manchester at some point today but as of yet he has not been spotted. A flight just arrived from Lisbon with some Portuguese journalists on board and the 25-year-old is expected to travel via private jet.

There are Portuguese reporters at Lisbon airport who are watching out for Fernandes’ arrival.

Fernandes’ friend posted an update on her Instagram story last night of the two of them together along with a plane emoji but it is not thought that was taken at an airport.

United have until midday on Friday to get the deal done and the 25-year-old registered if they want him to play against Wolves on Sunday.

(Image: 2020 Quality Sport Images)
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