Manchester United needs a fresh start. Last season was a real letdown. They finished way down in 15th place. That meant no European competitions, which is a big miss for a club like United. To turn things around, the Red Devils are spending big money on new players. They want to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Old Trafford has seen some big new faces arrive. Bryan Mbeumo, a winger from Brentford, joined the club. That deal cost around 75 million euros. Matheus Cunha also came in for 74 million euros. These are serious investments, showing how much the club wants to improve.
But not everyone is happy just yet. Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese international midfielder and team captain, wasn’t pleased. This happened after their last game in the Premier League Summer Series. United drew 2-2 with Everton. The Red Devils actually won the trophy, but Fernandes wasn’t smiling.
The 30-year-old made it clear there’s still a lot to do. He said the team’s attitude has to change. “We didn’t want to finish like this,” he stated directly. “Our performance wasn’t the best and today we were weak. We want to avoid it because laziness brings consequences.” Those are strong words from the captain.
Fernandes didn’t stop there. He stressed that while the team is getting better, they’re not where they need to be. “We are improving, but we are not where we should be yet,” he explained. He also touched on the club’s efforts. “The club is doing its best within financial limitations. But it’s clear we need more reinforcements, one or two players who raise the bar and push the others.”
The 2025/2026 pre-season saw Manchester United play three matches in the Premier League Summer Series. They picked up two wins, beating West Ham 2-1 and Bournemouth 4-1. The draw against Everton, 2-2, was their only stumble.
The real test is coming soon. The Red Devils’ Premier League season begins on August 17. Their first match is a tough one against Arsenal. All eyes will be on them to see if the new signings and Fernandes’s tough talk translate into success.
