Tag: Fernandes

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly decided to stay at the club

 Bruno Fernandes has reportedly rejected a huge offer to leave Manchester United for the Saudi Pro League, opting to be part of Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Old Trafford.

Reports said Al Hilal were willing to pay United up to £100 million ($135 million) for the 30-year-old Portugal international but had not made an official approach.

United endured their worst finish of the Premier League era, finishing 15th. They also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.

United captain Fernandes was one of the few players to emerge with credit from a disastrous season, scoring 19 goals and making 19 assists across all competitions.

The midfielder addressed his future after United’s defeat to Spurs in Bilbao last month.

 “If the club thinks it’s time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is and football sometimes is like this,” he said.

But as speculation swirled over his future, manager Amorim last week expressed his belief that his compatriot would remain at Old Trafford.

Former United captain Gary Neville, now a Sky Sports pundit, said the development was “significant”.

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 “I think that there was an element of this situation that meant United getting that level of money, for someone of Bruno’s age, obviously, you couldn’t say that it would have been a bad deal,” he said.

 “But, on the other hand, Manchester United’s star player – only player at times – for the last four, five, six years, has been Bruno Fernandes. He’s so important.”

Neville added: “To turn that money down at a point where Manchester United are at their lowest ebb and say, ‘No, I want to fight through this, I want to see it through the other side, I want to come out and achieve things,’ I think it says a lot about him as a person, as a character.

“The club needs people who are going to run through a brick wall for them.”

United are expected to be busy in the transfer market as Amorim reshapes his under-performing squad.

The club have already signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are being heavily linked with Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.

Departures could include Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho.

Fernandes has made 290 appearances and scored 98 goals for United since his £47 million move from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has signed a new contract that will extend his stay at Old Trafford until June 2027, with the option for a further year.

The Portugal midfielder has scored 79 goals and contributed 67 assists in his 234 appearances for the club.

Fernandes, 29, joined United from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020 for £47m and his previous deal, which he signed in 2022, was set to expire in 2026.

“Everybody knows the passion I have for Manchester United. I can see how positive the future is going to be and I am relishing leading this team forward,” Fernandes said.

“I understand the responsibility and significance of wearing this shirt, and the levels of dedication and desire required to represent this incredible club.”

Fernandes replaced Harry Maguire as United’s club captain in July 2023.

United boss Erik ten Hag has kept faith in the midfielder, despite coming under intense criticism at times from former United skippers Gary Neville and Roy Keane.

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Fernandes said he “wouldn’t have signed this contract” if he did not think his “best moments in a United shirt are still to come”.

He added: “I have had so many special moments here already. Hearing my name sung from the Stretford End, scoring a hat-trick against Leeds, leading the team out at Old Trafford on European nights and lifting trophies at Wembley.

“From my discussions with the football leadership and manager, it is clear how determined everyone is to fight for major trophies in the years ahead.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the club want to keep skipper Bruno Fernandes after the Portuguese midfielder stated his desire to remain at Old Trafford.

United are known to be willing to listen to offers for all their first-team stars, with the exception of youngsters Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund as they look to raise funds for a squad rebuilding exercise.

Fernandes is on that list and has been linked with moves to Inter Milan and Bayern Munich in recent days, although it is felt it would take a sizeable offer to persuade United to part with their talisman.

In an on-pitch interview on Sky Sports after he had played a starring role in the false nine position in his side’s 3-2 Premier League win over Newcastle, Fernandes stated his commitment to the club.

“I will be here if the club wants me to be a part of the future,” he said. “If for some reason they don’t want me, I will go.”

Fernandes still has two years left on the extension he signed in 2022. That deal includes the potential to extend for a further season beyond that.

Told of his captain’s comments half an hour later, Ten Hag initially replied: “Absolutely the club wants to keep Bruno.”

Asked if the situation was so certain why Fernandes would cast doubt on his future, the Dutchman added: “I have to see the interview.”

Ten Hag continued: “Everything I know from him, he loves Manchester United, the fans of Manchester United and to play for Manchester United.”

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Fernandes has scored 10 Premier League goals this season and claimed his eighth assist of the campaign when he set up Rasmus Hojlund for the home side’s third against Newcastle.

“He always gives his best and is an example to everyone, even with his injuries,” said Ten Hag.

“He loves football and he wants to win. That is how I would describe his character.

“It is not easy when so many players around him are injured and he has to carry the team. But he keeps to a good level and, especially in the spring, he grows to a brilliant level.”

BBC