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Manchester United are confident of completing the signing of Bruno Fernandes after making a significant breakthrough in talks on Tuesday.
United are now close to finalising an initial €55m (£46.6m) deal for the Sporting midfielder, subject to personal terms and a medical, with an additional €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons.
The €10m add-ons are understood to relate to Champions League qualification and Fernandes’ number of club appearances.
A further €15m (£12.7m) in add-ons will be paid to Sporting if Fernandes achieves certain individual milestones during his time at United.
Negotiations for Fernandes were protracted due to United’s unwillingness to meet Sporting’s demand for an €80m fee up front.
Show all 21 1 /21Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 20. Marco Rose A bright coach translating the outstanding work at Salzburg to the German Bundesliga with Gladbach, who are in an unexpected title race.
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 19. Brendan Rodgers His stock has not been this high perhaps ever in his career. Inspiring Leicester to a third-placed finish could stand up with anything he's done as a manager. But a new contract until 2025 appears to have made it tricky for any club to prize him away from the King Power
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 18. Diego Simeone Seemingly at the end, or rather the beginning of a chapter at Atletico, who have lavishly spent to reinvigorate a once faded squad. Quite whether Simeone would be tempted by another challenge remains to be seen. The Spaniards' pursuit of Edinson Cavani and others may prove pivotal in persuading Simeone he can work wonders once again here.
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 17. Antonio Conte An ideal candidate should Ed Woodward not concur with many that the problems are beyond the manager alone. Conte can inspire more from less, as proven at Chelsea and now with Inter. A premature exit seems almost impossible though, given Inter are rather recklessly meeting his every request
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 16. Zinedine Zidane Not quite the miracle worker his first stint in charge of the Bernabeu suggested, as Real shuffle the pack, but like his current employers, United would surely be able to hand him whatever he wanted to stamp his authority on a team needing a new identity
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 15. Joachim Low Another stalwart of the international game, who has built a culture and structure that United desperately crave. But given his tenure with Die Mannschaft now extends to 14 years, his motivation to return to the club game is in question
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 14. Luis Enrique Back in charge of Spain and ready to reinvigorate a nation still in transition. Enrique's time with Barcelona remains underrated and is valued even higher since the frustrating spell of Ernesto Valverde. Could jump at the chance to take over a big club after the Euros.
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 13. Thomas Tuchel Constantly under pressure at PSG with the high stakes game they play in the Champions League ever season. Failure to move beyond the last 16 would surely see the end for him, but judging him purely in isolation could be daft, especially given the outstanding work he did at Dortmund when afforded a wider judgement. Another candidate like Allegri who offers immediate hope without ripping it down and completely starting over
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 12. Erik ten Hag Oversaw the incredible Ajax run to the Champions League semi-final, playing a superb brand of football. With United possessing an exciting generation of young players, it could be a smart appointment to hire somebody capable of translating talent to proven class on the big stage
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 11. Gareth Southgate His stock has come down somewhat since the World Cup, but Southgate has proven he is a capable tactician as well as a motivator. A matter of time before he dips back into the club game
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 10. Julian Nagelsmann One of the game's brightest young coaches now sprinkling his magic at Leipzig. Would take an enormous offer to convince both him and his club to part company
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 9. Phil Neville Former United player who has built himself a decent reputation with his work with England. After experience with his brother Gary at Valencia as a No 2, Neville may be tempted to return to Old Trafford, even if just in the short term
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 8. Nuno Espirito Santo Overseeing an excellent job at Wolves, tactically sound and his connection with super agent Jorge Mendes could benefit United greatly given the frosty relationship with one of the game's other influential figures Mino Raiola
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 7. Ralf Rangnick Capable of transforming the structure at United after his time with Leipzig. Is thought to be especially keen on the United job
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 6. Laurent Blanc Out of work since 2016, but with connections from his playing days to Old Trafford. An experienced coach who could command respect and may accept the job on a short-term basis
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 5. Mike Phelan Experienced club man currently at Solskjaer's side, could feasibly step in as a caretaker until the end of the season
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 4. Nicky Butt Working with United's academy and helping build a conveyor belt to the first team, which is the one silver lining to this season. If Solskjaer goes, Butt could at least help the next man by providing further options for next season with more youngsters handed experience
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 3. Michael Carrick In the current set-up with the most upside to develop into a manager. A great playing career and the sort of player whose imagination might translate well to coaching and seeing the game differently. A short-term option until the summer.
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 2. Massimiliano Allegri Refreshed after leaving Juventus. A tried and tested option with great experience and proven to work in a structure preventing him from complete control over transfers. Would be expensive but could instantly command the respect of the squad
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Ranking Solskjaer's most likely replacement at United 1. Mauricio Pochettino The ideal option, free and available, with the highest upside of any candidate who could realistically join. Pochettino would surely find the job appealing and could replicate his success with young players as United's academy begins to contribute world class talent to the first team once again
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United are now confident that they have secured a structured deal which reflects the player’s true value, with Sporting likely to receive €65m total.
Fernandes is expected to sign a four-and-a-half year contract at Old Trafford, tying him down to United until at least the summer of 2024.
The Portugal international will fly to Manchester to undergo a medical later this week to complete his signing before Friday’s winter transfer deadline.
Fernandes offers under-pressure manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer much needed cover in midfield following injuries to Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay.
But Solskjaer will also hope he brings goals. Fernandes has scored 15 goals in 28 appearances for a struggling Sporting side this season, having notched 32 in 53 games last season.
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