Fernandes reacts as Man United footage of Mainoo, Casemiro and Mbeumo emerges
Bruno Fernandes has responded after new footage was released from Man United’s pre-season tour in the USA.
Following an abysmal 2024-25 season finishing 15th in the Premier League, Man United have struggled in pre-season so far.
Immediately after the culmination of the Premier League campaign, the Red Devils headed to Asia where they lost 1-0 to the ASEAN All-Stars.
They reversed this defeat with a 3-1 victory against Hong Kong but were embarrassed in the first game in Malaysia.
A 0-0 draw with promoted Leeds earlier in July demonstrated Ruben Amorim’s side have much work to do in ahead of the new season.
The signings of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford will boost United moral as they aim to improve on last year’s disappointment.
United ramp up pre-season preparation
In an Instagram post (25 July) captioned “Rondo but make it expert”, Mbeumo was one of the United players participating in training.
The Cameroonian performed an audacious scorpion kick pass as the group tried to prevent the ball touching the ground.
The video also included Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo with the latter linked with a summer move to Tottenham.
Portuguese midfield-maestro Fernandes, who was also a part of the drill, liked the post.
Mainoo faces pivotal summer transfer decision
Football Insider verdict
The 20-year-old is in an awkward position ahead of the new season with uncertainty around his future at Old Trafford.
The Englishman was in-and-out of Amorim’s starting XI last campaign amid poor form and injuries.
Looking back to the 2023-24 season where Mainoo made 24 appearances in the Premier League, there is no doubt the United academy product has talent.
His form in that season was so good that it caught the attention of then England manager Sir Gareth Southgate, eventually starting for the national team at Euro 2024.
| Mainoo at Euro 2024 | |
| Appearances | 6 |
| Minutes played | 370 |
| Passing accuracy (%) | 92.5% |
| Key passes | 10 |
With two years left on his contract with an option to extend, the number 37 may be considering the possibility of playing elsewhere to find regular minutes.
There’s no guarantee of starting in Spurs’ midfield, especially when James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski return from injury.
The safe bet would be for the England international to bide his time and try and play his way into Amorim’s first-team plans.
Alternatively, knowing the 2026 World Cup is approaching, a loan move away may be beneficial to allow him to push his way into Thomas Tuchel’s thinking.