Bruno Fernandes contract talks remain unresolved after the Manchester United captain rejected a second offer from the club. His current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, leaving the skipper's future at Old Trafford open heading into a new managerial appointment.
United's first proposal came in the summer, when negotiations opened, and was also turned down. The club holds an option to extend the 32-year-old's stay by a further year, a mechanism that would also prevent him from speaking to foreign clubs in January about a free transfer.
Bruno Fernandes contract talks continue at Old Trafford
Talks are expected to continue, and United have made clear they want their captain to remain at the club. The short-term leverage sits with the club: the extension option runs alongside the expiry date, so a decision on triggering it determines whether Fernandes can negotiate with overseas sides in the January window.
Fernandes was named PFA Player of the Year in August after recording 21 assists last season, a Premier League record. He also drew interest from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal last season.
Mauricio Pochettino expected at Old Trafford
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to be announced as United's new head coach on Friday, after Michael Carrick was sacked on Thursday. Both the managerial change and the captain's contract situation now sit in the same week at the club.
Separate reporting on the coaching change says United agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the USA manager running until the summer of 2029, and that Carrick departed with the club in the Premier League relegation zone.
Fernandes and Pochettino already have a history
In 2019, Fernandes said he almost signed for Pochettino that summer, when the Argentine was managing Tottenham, but the move was blocked by Sporting.
What to watch before January
- The extension option: whether United trigger the extra year, which would also close off January talks with foreign clubs.
- Fresh terms: whether a third offer follows after two rejections.
- Outside interest: whether the kind of approach Al Hilal made last season returns once the window opens.
The original report on the captain's contract was published by skysports.com.
