Another Ruben at Manchester United?

Manchester United are already laying the groundwork for a major midfield overhaul ahead of 2026, but Bruno Fernandes’ recent injury setback may force the club to act sooner than planned. With their captain potentially sidelined for over a month, the Red Devils could be pushed into reassessing their short-term options.

Technical director Jason Wilcox has long had a shortlist in place, led by Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton, though none of those names can be pursued during the January window.

When Bruno is not playing, United are not winning

Other midfield profiles, including Alex Scott and Joao Gomes, have also been discussed internally. Yet, in the past few days, Ruben Neves has once again emerged as a serious possibility, particularly after reports claimed he rejected a new contract proposal from Al-Hilal.

The 28-year-old has been admired at Old Trafford since his Wolves days, when he made a major impression in the Premier League with his ‘fabulous’ performances.

Neves eventually left England in the summer of 2023, completing a 47 million pounds move to Al-Hilal, where he quickly built a strong on-field understanding with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Despite that success, the Portuguese international is reportedly unwilling to commit his long-term future to Saudi Arabia and has turned down attempts to extend his deal beyond 2026.

That stance has alerted Manchester United, who are now said to be monitoring the situation closely with a view to a possible January move at a reduced price. With his proven pedigree as a deep-lying playmaker in the Premier League, a reunion with fellow countryman Bruno Fernandes could prove an appealing option for the club.