Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly rejected a second contract offer from the club, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season. The club's first proposal was made in the summer when talks first began, and it was also turned down. The Athletic reports that salary and contract length remain sticking points, and no compromise has yet been reached. The 32-year-old's contract is set to expire on June 30, 2027, and if no agreement is struck, he would be free to speak to foreign clubs in January about a free transfer.
United hold an option to extend Fernandes's stay at Old Trafford by a further 12 months, and the club has made clear it wants its captain to remain. Last season the Portuguese midfielder was reportedly the subject of interest from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, which was said to have offered a three-year package totalling £200m. Fernandes chose to stay, and after recording 21 assists last season to break a Premier League record he was named PFA Player of the Year in August. Since arriving from Sporting Lisbon for £47million in January 2020, he has contributed 113 goals and 111 assists in 341 appearances, and has been club captain since the summer of 2023.S1S2
The contract talks come amid serious turmoil at United, which sits 18th in the Premier League after winning just one of its opening 10 league matches. Michael Carrick was sacked on Thursday, a decision taken by chief executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox after they met minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco. Mauricio Pochettino, who has reportedly agreed personal terms, is expected to be announced as the new head coach on Friday, with United set to pay his £7.4million release clause to land the former Tottenham boss from US Soccer.S1S2
Fernandes's relationship with the club has also been strained by his recent public criticism. After a defeat by Como last month he said, "Everyone at the club must understand that it's no longer the same," and he was subsequently dropped by Carrick. Fernandes has said that his decision to stay was not a question of loyalty, and his form has dipped along with that of several team-mates. Pochettino will now inherit both the club's league position and the uncertainty surrounding its captain's future.S2
