Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Mexico international Rebeca Bernal from American club Washington Spirit, with the 29-year-old set to become the first Mexican player to feature in the Women's Super League. The versatile defender or midfielder would add international pedigree to a squad being rebuilt under new manager Eva Olid, who takes charge of United's WSL season opener against London City Lionesses on Friday.

Bernal joined Washington Spirit in February 2025 from CF Monterrey and has made 41 appearances for the club, including helping them win the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup; she was absent from Sunday's league game against Bay FC with what Spirit called an "excused absence". She has won 65 caps for Mexico, scoring seven goals, notably the winner in the 2023 Pan American Games final victory over Chile. The move would follow United's other close-season signings of defender Andrea Medina, goalkeeper Janina Leitzig and winger Monica Jusu Bah.