Man Utd's Fernandes in Race to Recover from COVID Ahead of Atletico Clash, Says Rangnick

Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)
Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)
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Man Utd's Fernandes in Race to Recover from COVID Ahead of Atletico Clash, Says Rangnick

Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)
Bruno Fernandes. (Reuters)

COVID-19 positive Bruno Fernandes is in a "last-minute race" to be fit for the return leg of Manchester United's Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid, manager Ralf Rangnick said.

Fernandes, who has nine goals and 14 assists for United this season, missed their 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on the weekend, along with team mates Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay.

While giving an update on the status of the trio, Rangnick said Bruno's absence was caused by a positive COVID-19 test.

"With Scotty, I hope (he is fit) but he had some muscular problems with his calf," Rangnick said. "That's why we decided not to play him (against Spurs), because Scotty ... is only valuable if he can perform with 100% of his physical capacity.

"Luke hopefully will be back in training Monday and Bruno we will have to wait and see until Tuesday. This will probably be a last-minute race with him - due to COVID-19. "We have to be careful with COVID-19 tests. David (de Gea) was the same. David yesterday was out, he was not supposed to play but then it turned out that his first fast test was false."

Anthony Elanga salvaged a 1-1 draw for United in the first leg against Atletico in February with a late equalizer, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg.



Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
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Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116 million ($157 million) to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, it was widely reported on Friday.

The Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, but the performance-related add-ons, if achieved, would make it a potential British record, AFP reported.

Liverpool's overall outlay for the 22-year-old Germany international could surpass the £115 million Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who turned down Anfield.

Midfielder Caicedo cost Chelsea an initial £100 million fee, which could rise to £115 million.

Striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool's previous record signing in 2022, although they have not paid the full £85 million as he has not met all the requirements for certain add-ons to be due.

Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz but pulled out, reportedly due to the spiraling costs of the whole package.