Mansion Sports – Manchester United are reportedly keen to open discussions with Bruno Fernandes regarding a new contract, but will ultimately leave the decision entirely in the hands of the captain as to whether he remains at the club or chooses to depart.

Fernandes’ current contract runs until 2027, and although the club hold an option to extend it by a further 12 months, management are still eager to discuss a new agreement with the Portuguese midfielder.

Manchester United’s Plan to Hold Contract Talks with the Team Captain

According to reports from ESPN, Manchester United plan to sit down and hold contract talks with Bruno Fernandes before he joins the Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The club hope to convince the midfielder to remain for at least one more season, as a new era begins following the dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes Holds Full Control Over His Future at Manchester United

The report also states that while Manchester United want Fernandes to stay at Old Trafford, the club will allow him to determine his own future by giving him the freedom to “decide his next step.”

Last summer, Fernandes was close to leaving after receiving a lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

Although he ultimately chose to stay, the 31-year-old admitted that he felt “hurt” by the perception that the club were willing to let him go.

He revealed that the meaning of loyalty is no longer viewed in the same way as before. Fernandes explained that he had the opportunity to leave in the previous transfer window for significantly greater financial rewards and even the chance to win many trophies.

However, he decided to remain for family reasons and out of his genuine love for the club.

Fernandes also highlighted that his conversations with coach Amorim influenced his decision to stay.

Nevertheless, from his perspective, it felt as though his departure would not have been a major issue for the club. This made him sad, given that he has always been ready to play, give everything on the pitch, and never criticise the club. He felt disappointed when he saw other players who did not show the same level of dedication to the club.

He explained that the president of Al-Hilal contacted him directly, while Ruben Neves also sent messages inviting him to talk.

The club wanted him to feature in the Club World Cup with Al-Hilal, and the interest had been building since the era of Jorge Jesus, who had also contacted him in 2023.

Fernandes stressed that although he earns a very good salary at Manchester United, the financial difference compared to the offer from Saudi Arabia was enormous. However, money was not the main factor in his decision-making.

He stated that if one day he has to play in Saudi Arabia, he would be ready to do so, recognising that his family’s lifestyle would change and that his children would enjoy a brighter life after years of living in Manchester with its cold and rainy weather.

He also emphasised that he never forced a move away, unlike some other players. In his view, his empathy and affection for the club have always felt balanced.

However, at a certain point, he felt that for the club, financial considerations became more important than anything else.

Fernandes admitted that he believes the club actually wanted to let him go but did not dare to make that decision because the coach still wanted him. He believes that if he were to say he wanted to leave, the club would allow him to do so.

Manchester United Seek Clarity on Bruno Fernandes’ Feelings

ESPN also reported that Manchester United were surprised by Fernandes’ statements and want to avoid a similar situation in the future by re-establishing communication with the player and his representatives regarding his intentions.

Although Fernandes has made it clear that he does not want to think about his club future until the World Cup is over, United want to finalise their transfer plans earlier in the summer.

The club are currently looking to strengthen their midfield, with names such as Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton included on their list of targets.

“Portuguese Magnifico” Shows His Best Form Again Under Carrick

Bruno Fernandes was one of the standout players last Saturday when Manchester United defeated local rivals Manchester City 2-0 at Old Trafford, in Michael Carrick’s first match as head coach since returning to the club.

Following that result, the Red Devils will face another tough challenge on Sunday as they travel to face league leaders Arsenal.