Football
Man Utd Step Up Efforts to Lock In Bruno Fernandes Before World Cup
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Manchester United v Liverpool - Premier League by Simon Stacpoole/Offside | Getty Images
Manchester United want captain Bruno Fernandes to commit his future to the club before this summer’s World Cup, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Sources close to the situation have told SportsBoom that talks have been ongoing between United bosses and Fernandes’ representatives this season.
The Red Devils are understood to have told the Portuguese playmaker they do not want to lose him under any circumstances this summer.
But Fernandes wants assurances over the ambition of the club ahead of their return to the Champions League next term.
United are set to accelerate contract talks with Fernandes over the next few weeks in a hope he will put pen to paper to a new deal before jetting off to North America for the World Cup.
Bruno Wants Ambition Promise
It is understood United’s lynchpin turned down a mega-money offer from Saudi Arabia last summer as he opted to stay at Old Trafford and there are a number of suitors monitoring negotiations between the two parties.
Fernandes sees his future at the club where he has spent the best years of his career to date, but wants a commitment from bosses to strengthen the squad once again this summer ahead of a return to Europe’s elite competition.
It is a similar stance Wayne Rooney had when he put in a transfer request during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign.
One Of PL's Best
Still only 31, Fernandes has a number of years left at the top. He is back playing in a more advanced role under interim boss Michael Carrick after being employed in a deeper position under Ruben Amorim.
United have an option of a further year in his current deal, which runs out next summer, but want Fernandes to sign a multi-year contact extension.
His current deal has a £57million release clause, which United want to scrap given his importance to the club.
Editor's Insight
If Bruno Fernandes were to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, betting markets on their Premier League title chances would likely shorten sharply, reflecting the loss of their key creative and leadership figure. Even with strong recruitment, the initial reaction would be a downgrade in credibility as genuine contenders. However, a busy and effective summer window could quickly swing sentiment again, making United one of the more volatile and intriguing outright markets heading into preseason.
Shane is an experienced sports journalist with over a decade on the front line, covering everything from football to horse racing. A familiar face in the snooker pressroom, his work regularly appears in the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, and Daily Star, alongside SportsBoom.
While snooker is where many readers know him best, cricket is his true sporting passion, though he tends to keep that side of him separate from his professional beat.
A staunch traditionalist, he’s unlikely to share your enthusiasm if you believe The Hundred is the future of Test cricket.