Manchester United are close to completing the signing of Mexico international Rebeca Bernal from Washington Spirit, in a move that would make her the first Mexican player to appear in the Women’s Super League.
The 29-year-old is capable of playing at centre-back or in defensive midfield and has emerged as a target for new United head coach Eva Olid as the club strengthens its squad ahead of the new campaign.
Bernal joined Washington Spirit from CF Monterrey in February 2025 on a three-year contract running through the 2027 season. She helped Monterrey win four Liga MX Femenil titles before moving to the National Women’s Soccer League, where she has made 41 appearances for the Spirit and won the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup. ([washingtonspirit.com](https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2025/02/25/washington-spirit-signs-star-mexican-defender-rebeca-bernal/?utm_source=openai))
She was absent from Washington’s 1-0 victory over Bay FC on Sunday, with the club listing her reason for missing the match as an “excused absence”. Reports in the United States say United are confident of securing the transfer before the Women’s Super League window closes on Thursday, 3 September. ([united.no](https://www.united.no/nyheter/naermer-seg-meksikansk-landslagsspiller/1456967?utm_source=openai))
Bernal has won 65 caps for Mexico and scored seven goals. She netted the winner in the final of the 2023 Pan American Games, when Mexico defeated Chile to claim the women’s football title for the first time.
United begin their WSL campaign away to London City Lionesses on Friday, 4 September. The club have already signed defender Andrea Medina from Atletico Madrid, goalkeeper Janina Leitzig from Leicester City and Sweden winger Monica Jusu Bah from BK Hacken. ([londoncitylionesses.com](https://www.londoncitylionesses.com/fixtures?utm_source=openai))
