Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has turned down a second contract proposal from the club, according to sources close to the negotiations. The Portugal international, who arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting in 2020, is currently out of contract at the end of the season, though United hold the option to trigger a 12-month extension until 2028.
Contract Standoff Deepens at Old Trafford
The Red Devils are eager to secure their skipper on a fresh long-term deal and have been in discussions with his representatives for several months. However, the latest offer has been rebuffed, leaving the club in a delicate position.
Should no agreement be reached, it appears almost certain that United will activate the one-year extension before 1 January. At that point, Fernandes would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs, as his deal would be within six months of expiring.
Timing of Rejection Unclear
It remains uncertain exactly when the 32-year-old declined the proposal, but a swift resolution seems unlikely given the current turbulence at the club. Michael Carrick was dismissed as head coach on Thursday following United's worst start to a domestic campaign in four decades.
USA coach Mauricio Pochettino is widely expected to take charge, with the Argentine set to lead the team for the first time when United travel to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool on 22 November. The club will be hoping Pochettino's arrival can persuade Fernandes to commit his future.
A Familiar Negotiation Dance
In theory, the standoff is not a major crisis. It is common for first, second, and sometimes several more offers to be rejected during negotiations. United do have the option to add an extra year, but both sides may be wary of committing beyond that at this stage.
From Fernandes' perspective, there is a clear desire to compete for the biggest prizes. He can see the best years of his career slipping away, and once again United have failed to build on a season of promise. He will want to see what impact Pochettino has when he eventually arrives.
The midfielder was coveted by the Saudi Pro League 18 months ago, though the feeling has been that he would prefer to remain in Europe.
United's Financial Caution
On United's side, they will have noted Fernandes' alarming drop-off from the levels he reached last season, when he broke the Premier League assists record and swept all the major player of the year honours. Liverpool committed a huge amount of money to Mohamed Salah's last contract, and that turned out to be a heavy financial burden. United will not want to be saddled with a major contract over an extended period for an underperforming player.
Fernandes has scored six times in 13 matches for United this season, and his future remains one of the most pressing issues facing the club as they prepare for a new era under Pochettino.
