According to reports, Manchester United has signaled its intent to do whatever is necessary to ensure Bruno Fernandes remains at Old Trafford beyond the current season. The 31-year-old playmaker currently has a contract running until 2027, with the club holding an option to trigger an additional one-year extension.
A Shift in Strategy
Last summer, the INEOS leadership was reportedly prepared to part ways with the veteran midfielder following a substantial £100 million offer from the Saudi Pro League. Ultimately, Fernandes turned down the move and chose to remain with the Red Devils.
Reflecting on that period during a television interview in Portugal last December, the midfielder expressed his disappointment, noting he felt «hurt» and «sad» that the club had been willing to entertain offers for him. Since then, the management at United appears to have completely reassessed their position, now viewing him as an integral part of their long-term plans.
Impact and Performance
The decision to secure his future comes as no surprise given his recent resurgence on the pitch. While former manager Ruben Amorim had previously utilized Fernandes in a deeper midfield position—which stifled his ability to impact the final third—interim manager Michael Carrick quickly moved him back to his preferred attacking role.
Since that tactical adjustment, the Portuguese star has been in exceptional form, contributing two goals and nine assists in his last ten Premier League appearances. Notably, his performance against Aston Villa allowed him to surpass David Beckham’s record for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign.
With eight games remaining in the season, Fernandes is closing in on the all-time record of 20 assists held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne; he requires just five more to set a new benchmark. Having accumulated 105 goals and 103 assists in 319 appearances for the club, Fernandes remains a pivotal figure whose continued presence is vital for United's ambitions.