As Manchester United prepare for another era under a new permanent manager, they are beginning to look ahead to confirming the future of Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United want to hold contract talks with Bruno Fernandes just before the World Cup.
Earlier in the season, the Reds’ skipper opened up about how he was close to joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal last summer. A move did not suffice, but United are bracing themselves for more interest in the ex-Sporting Lisbon star.
Fernandes, 31, has already made it clear he wants to decide his future when the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is all over. But it appears United are determined to get an answer on what he wants to do before the competition starts in the summer.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
According to ESPN, club officials want to arrange a pre-World Cup meeting with Fernandes to ascertain his decision. His contract at the club expires in the summer of 2027.
United do have the option of extending his deal for another year to keep him on the red side of Manchester until 2028. However, it’s claimed the club are happy for him to make the decision about his next move himself – though they plan to tell him they want him to stay.
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
Michael Carrick’s second temporary spell as manager began perfectly with a barnstorming 2-0 victory over City in the Manchester Derby. Fernandes played a starring role in the triumph over Pep Guardiola’s side, providing the pass for Bryan Mbeumo’s goal.
There is a desire from the board for Fernandes to remain at Old Trafford to help with the transition to a new manager. Carrick has started well, but he is not expected to be handed the job on a permanent basis.
In December, Fernandes told reporters he believed United were ready to cash in on his services, comments which reportedly surprised club officials. He claimed the club wanted to sell him, and he only stayed because the then-manager, Ruben Amorim, wanted to hold onto him.
Fernandes told Portuguese TV station Canal 11: “The club wanted me to go [away]. I told the directors that, I don’t think they had the courage to make that decision because the coach wanted me.
“But if I said I wanted to leave, even though the coach wanted me to stay, the club would let me.”
He also added: “I was valued, what values me most has to be my club, although I feel, lately, that I’m a little on the tightrope. In England a player reaches 30 and they think he has to remodel.
“The issue of loyalty is not as well-regarded as it used to be. I could have left in this market, I was going to earn a lot more money, a season ago I was going to leave, I was going to win many trophies this season.”
Fernandes has nine goals and five assists in 19 Premier League appearances this season and also contributed an assist in United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup.
