Manchester United are heading into a pivotal end to the season, with silverware still within reach and big decisions looming in the transfer market.
While Ruben Amorim’s men prepare for the Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, issues off the pitch are also commanding attention.
The summer window is fast approaching, and with United expected to reshape parts of the squad, agents and intermediaries will be playing a crucial role behind the scenes.
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But in a dramatic twist, one agent with close links to Old Trafford is now making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
This week, the Portuguese Attorney General’s Office formally charged football agent Miguel Pinho — known for representing Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes — with active corruption in sport, as per A Bola.
The explosive indictment stems from an alleged incident during the 2015/16 Primeira Liga season, in which Miguel Pinho is accused of offering a €30,000 bribe to Edgar Costa, a player for Maritimo.
According to the charge, the payment was intended to influence Costa’s performance and ultimately benefit Maritimo’s opponents — widely believed to be Benfica, who defeated the Madeira-based side three times that year.
The Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Prosecution (DCIAP) confirmed that Pinho is being charged with an aggravated crime of active corruption tied to unsportsmanlike conduct.
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The investigation has already resulted in legal action, including a motion to suspend Pinho’s licence to operate as an agent and the freezing of assets believed to be linked to the bribe offer.
While there is no suggestion that Bruno Fernandes was aware of or involved in the matter, the case places fresh scrutiny on Pinho, who has long managed the United star’s career and transfer dealings.
As the legal process unfolds in Portugal, the story has already sent shockwaves through football, raising serious concerns about the role of agents in the sport.
United will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely, particularly as they prepare for a summer that could involve key decisions regarding Fernandes after his recent links with Saudi Arabia side, Al-Hilal.
