Manchester United handed boost as 2 new signings likely to be available to face Fulham in PL season opener - Reports

Manchester United have received positive news ahead of their Premier League clash against Fulham on Friday, August 16. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have completed the signing of Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in time for the fixture.

The pair have completed their medical tests and the deal is close to being finalised, according to the report. The side have until Thursday 12 PM GMT to ratify the move for them to be eligible to suit up against the Cottagers.

Manchester United will pay a fee of €45 million plus €5 million for De Ligt, while they will pay €15 million plus €5 million for Mazraoui. Both players had fallen out of favour at Bayern and were made available in this window. De Ligt made 30 appearances last season, bagging two goals and one assist while Mazraoui played 29 times, collecting four assists.

The duo enjoyed productive spells at Ajax under Erik ten Hag, highlighted by their run to the semifinals of the Champions League in 2018-19. Since then, De Ligt has featured for Juventus and Bayern before the reported move to Old Trafford.

Manchester United will be hoping that their additions will help shore up what was a leaky defense in the 2023-24 campaign. A mix of injuries and poor performances saw them concede 58 goals in the league last season, a key deterrent to their performances as they finished a dismal eighth in the league.

With summer signing Leny Yoro expected to be out of action for three months, the addition of De Ligt could be useful for the side. Further, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka expected to complete a move to West Ham United, Mazraoui could also see some game time in the near future.

Manchester United set to provide new contract to midfield star

Manchester United have reached an agreement with Bruno Fernandes on a new deal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Portuguese star will put pen to paper on a contract to keep him at the club until 2027.

Fernandes had just two years left on his previous deal. With the new deal, the 29-year-old is set to receive a pay rise that will make him among the club's top earners. The Red Devils are keen on getting this done before the end of the transfer window.

Since his arrival from Sporting CP in 2020, Fernandes has established himself as one of Manchester United's most vital players. He bagged 15 goals and 13 assists in 48 games last season for the club.