Manchester United’s midfield isn’t just being watched, it’s being dissected. With Bruno Fernandes’ long-term role growing more uncertain and Cole Palmer now emerging as a serious transfer target, fans around the world are closely tracking every decision, line-up tweak, and rumour out of Carrington.
And they’re not just relying on headlines. Many international supporters are using CyberGhost VPN free trial services to access region-restricted match streams and official club content, which offers full, unrestricted access to streaming platforms, including a 24-hour free trial for desktop and multi-day access on mobile.
And what they’re seeing is a team in transition. Under Michael Carrick, United have tightened their shape, found balance in midfield, and sparked genuine optimism among the fanbase. But with that optimism comes forward-looking questions, and one of the biggest surrounds the future of Bruno Fernandes.
A changing picture in United's midfield
Fernandes has been reinstated in the No.10 role under Michael Carrick’s temporary leadership, back in his natural zone, free to create rather than cover. It’s produced results. But even with improved form, his long-term future is under scrutiny.
There’s been growing chatter inside Old Trafford that Fernandes, now 31 later this year, may not be part of the next cycle. No decisions have been made, but the direction of the squad is shifting.
Kobbie Mainoo is being trusted as the deep controller. Mason Mount is battling for relevance. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo offer rotation, not foundation.
The club wants a new long-term lock in the No.10 slot. Someone with game IQ, positional versatility, and the hunger to lead a rebuild. Palmer fits that brief better than anyone currently available.
Chelsea can't afford another locker room battle
Palmer’s situation at Chelsea isn’t dire, but it’s fragile. His form dipped following injury, and while Liam Rosenior insists he’s “untouchable,” internal reports say otherwise. There’s tension behind the scenes, born from a project with no identity and a squad built on quantity over chemistry.
Palmer has become the heartbeat of a disjointed Chelsea attack. He leads by influence, not status. But when that influence stalls, as it has in recent weeks, questions surface. Why did he join? Who’s leading the project? And, crucially, what happens if United call?
He wouldn’t be the first player to walk away from a Chelsea rebuild that’s stuck in neutral. Unlike others, though, Palmer has something different pulling at him: loyalty. Old loyalty.
More than just talent
Palmer isn’t just a technically gifted No.10. He’s a player with rhythm, passing weight, and vision, qualities United have tried to replace multiple times since Wayne Rooney dropped deeper and Juan Mata left.
But there’s more. Palmer knows what the club means. He said it himself. After scoring a hat-trick against United at Stamford Bridge, he admitted he grew up supporting the club. That moment felt symbolic. Now it feels relevant.
It’s that same background that helped make Mata’s move possible in 2014. Despite Chelsea’s reluctance, United got their man because Mata wanted the move. Palmer may not be pushing yet, but the interest is mutual. And if Chelsea’s season unravels further, it wouldn’t take much to reignite that flame.
Tactical fit under Carrick
Carrick’s current shape is a 4-2-3-1, designed to create pockets of space centrally and allow fast transitions. Fernandes has thrived, but it’s temporary. Palmer offers a more press-resistant option, someone who can rotate into wide zones, drop between lines, and carry the ball under pressure. His time at City sharpened those skills. His time at Chelsea refined them.
There’s also a question of squad evolution. United no longer want to build around a single star. They want a midfield unit that can interchange and survive rotation. Palmer fits that philosophy, high usage, low ego, and is capable of playing across the three attacking midfield positions.
United’s strategy
This isn’t a Galáctico chase. United aren’t trying to make a statement - they’re trying to avoid another mistake. The failed gambles on Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek still sting. This time, it’s about securing a player who already fits the system, already understands the Premier League, and already sees Old Trafford as something more than a job.
United could’ve pushed harder for Palmer last summer. They didn’t. Now, with Bruno’s future in question and Carrick stabilising the squad, timing might finally be on their side. The price won’t be low - Chelsea paid City £42 million just 18 months ago, but it won’t be impossible either. Especially not if the player’s will starts to tilt red.
A midfield domino effect
Palmer's arrival wouldn’t just be about creativity - it would trigger a ripple effect across the squad. Mount, already struggling for minutes, would be pushed further back. Fernandes, if he stays, would be forced into rotation or deeper deployment. And then there’s Casemiro.
The veteran midfielder is expected to depart this season, with Saudi interest growing and United increasingly looking toward a more dynamic engine room.
Mbeumo, likely, would shift to wide-forward duties only. For Mainoo, it would be a blessing. A consistent partner ahead of him who can control tempo, not just chase space. It would also offer United something they’ve lacked for years: a playmaker they can actually build around.
