Manchester United Women are closing in on the signing of Mexican international Rebeca Bernal from the Washington Spirit. A source told ESPN that the club is finalizing a deal for the defender, with an announcement expected before the season begins on September 4.
This move will see Bernal become the first Mexican player to feature in the Women's Super League. She arrives as Manchester United look to build on a fourth-place finish in the 2025 FA WSL, where they ended the campaign 15 points behind champions Manchester City. The team recorded 11 wins, 7 draws, and 4 losses from their 22 games last term.
Who is Rebeca Bernal?
Rebeca Bernal is a 65-cap Mexican international defender currently playing in the NWSL. She made 20 appearances for the Washington Spirit during the 2026 season. Before her move to the United States in 2025, Bernal developed her career in her home country with Liga Femenil side Monterrey. Her absence from Washington's 1-0 win over Bay FC on Sunday, listed as an 'excused absence', now appears linked to this impending transfer.
The signing represents a significant addition for a Manchester United side that scored 38 goals while conceding 22 last season, finishing with a positive goal difference of +16. You can view the full squad profile on our squad page.
What does this mean for United's defence?
Bernal's arrival adds international experience and depth to Manchester United's back line. Her profile as a ball-playing defender fits the modern game. The club's recent form heading into the new season was a mixed bag, with their final five games of the 2025 season yielding a record of Loss, Draw, Draw, Loss, Win (LDDLW).
Integrating a new player quickly will be important as the team prepares for its opener. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming matches on our fixtures schedule.
How was the transfer reported?
The news was first reported by The Cutback, with ESPN confirming the details. A source told the outlet, "Manchester United are finalizing a deal to sign Mexican international Rebeca Bernal from the NWSL's Washington Spirit." This midweek development comes as other WSL clubs are also making moves, with Arturo Ruiz recently appointed as the new head coach at Brighton after Dario Vidosic's departure.
Meanwhile, Chelsea star Lauren James has spoken about letting her guard down ahead of the new campaign, highlighting the competitive mood across the league. For a detailed look at how United stacks up against its rivals, visit our standings page.
Manchester United Women will hope Bernal's experience can help them close the gap on the teams above them. The defender is set to join the squad imminently ahead of the September 4 kick-off.
