Manchester United: Bruno Fernandes sets his conditions

Although he is committed to Manchester United, Bruno Fernandes has not ruled out the possibility of leaving this summer. The attacking midfielder and captain will only stay if the club’s management meets his collective demands.

It is hard to see how Manchester United could manage without Bruno Fernandes next season. But with the summer transfer window approaching, the possibility of a departure cannot be ruled out.

There is no talk of a contract extension for the attacking midfielder, who is under contract until 2027, with an optional extra year. On the contrary, rumours continue to link him with Saudi Arabia, a move he rejected last summer.

Two trophies in six years…

To find out where the Portuguese player really stands, one need only look at his own statements. Bruno Fernandes makes no secret of his attachment to the club and the city of Manchester. However, the Red Devils’ captain is not entirely fulfilled without success on the pitch. Since his arrival in January 2020, the former Sporting Lisbon player has won just two trophies with United: a League Cup in 2023 and an FA Cup the following year.

“Everyone who comes to Manchester United wants to win trophies,” the Manchester-born player told The Telegraph. “When you come here, nobody thinks we’ll be fighting to win just one or two trophies in six years.” His club honours tally will remain unchanged this season, with the side currently third in the English league, trailing leaders Arsenal. “The club hasn’t won the Premier League title since 2013,” Bruno Fernandes pointed out. “That’s too long for a club like Manchester United. It’s not normal.”

Bruno Fernandes wants guarantees

The Portugal international hopes to end this drought next season. That is why the 31-year-old midfielder, who refused to discuss his future in this interview, nevertheless sent a clear message to the board. “Ultimately, the important thing is to know what we’ll do to be the same team we are right now, and to be that way for a whole season,” he warned. “Because anyone can be good in flashes. Being good for the whole season is much harder. And that’s something we haven’t managed to do, at least since I arrived.”

To improve their consistency, the team managed by interim boss Michael Carrick will need a stronger squad. This is something Bruno Fernandes keeps telling the club’s directors. “What I always tell the club is: ‘You can’t promise me I’ll win the Premier League,’ he said. ‘That’s impossible. But if you promise me we’ll be competitive and we’ll be in the mix at the end… That’s all I want to know.” Still undecided on this point, the playmaker is also waiting to find out whether Man Utd will return to the Champions League, not to mention who the manager will be for next season.